lordofthewing0607

QPR 1 Celtic 5

2007-07-18T20:15:00.001+01:00

QPR 1 Celtic 5

2007-07-18T20:06:00.001+01:00

Goals from Sunday's Game

nakamura shunsuke 中村俊輔 very beautiful freekick (celtic vs ma

2007-07-13T19:49:00.003+01:00

nakamura shunsuke 中村俊輔 very beautiful freekick (celtic vs ma

2007-07-13T19:49:00.001+01:00

TEST

2007-06-26T11:17:00.001+01:00

TEST

The Lotw Review 06/07

2007-05-31T14:15:00.000+01:00

So it’s over. The final bell has tolled, last orders have been shouted and fat Senga fae Alloa has sung her last sash. Wie us having nothing bar Big Brother to look forward to over the coming months- ah hoose full of wannabe WAGS, every 13 year olds wie raging hormones dream- and spending time in the garden then the last post and chorus of LOTW, this season, has to be a review.

The league was won, at a canter, until recently, as was the Scottish Cup which had a few scary moments and we were a 120 seconds from going oot. The icing on the cake was qualification for the CL last 16.

So it’s probably Europe that this season will be best remembered for. That night against Man Utd was a perfect game. It had everything that you want as a fan. Tension, excitement and elation. Naka scored and it was like hanging on in a cup final. 10 mins from the Holy Grail.

We were like Indiana Jones getting chased by that big baw and nearly so nearly getting caught. I’ve spoken so often aboot how CP reacted when Arfur saved that pen from Saha. The place shook so much a tsunami-hit Greenock. I still get goose pumps thinking aboot it.

The game before against Benfica, oor performance was so guid it should be framed and mounted in the Tait gallery. It was a European performance from what looked like a mature European team. It was played at pace and directness with bucketfuls of gallusness. It gave us hope we could replicate that kind of form all the time.

How wrong could we be. Oor away form in the group stages was shocking apart from Manchester. It wisnny until oor trip to Milan did the team seem to grasp how to defend away from home in Europe and oor manager seemed to guess how to set his team up.

We got a lot of kudos for oor performances in Europe this year. We were difficult to overcome at home and oor performance against Milan in the San Siro gave us hope that wie better players in the midfield area’s and bit of pace upfront we may start nicking things away from home.

The domestic fair was a mixed bag. Well, it only really became a mixed bag after we won the bloody thing, which was in November or August when we trampled PLG rejuvenated 2-0 at CP. A game both KM and The Grav looked like players.

After defeat at swinecastle in the second game of the season, the hoops went 28 games unbeaten. A run that went roond the hooses twice and where we also gained the knack of going a goal doon and coming back either to win or draw.

Who can forget Hearts at CP when, Scotland’s numero uno palmed the baw into the back of the net or the second half salvage job that the hoops performed at Easter Road? Salvage jobs became the norm, Tynecastle as well 1 doon at halftime- as the team showed they had grit, determination and no shortage of talent to come through this period unbeaten.

It tailed off towards the end. Performances and legs got weary and defeats were more forthcoming than victories. But I’m a fan so I have already forgot aboot that part. Also this has been oor worse domestic performance against r*ngers for many a year. That has too change next season. 1 win, 1 draw and 2 defeats is poor against a poor r*ngers side.

The cups. We gave up the CIS trophy after a defeat on pens against Fawkirk. A game, which both teams didnae deserve to lose. We have played worse this season and won. The Scottish Cup nestles in CP again after a run, which saw us beat Dumbarton, Livi, Inversenkie, ST Johnstone and Dunfermline. 4 lower division teams, if ye count Dunfermline.

The game against Inversenkie was the highlight. We were so poor in that game another exit was staring us in the face wie 120 seconds to go. Upped popped oor reformed h*ns to save the day and probably cemented their place in the Cup Final 11. So Celtic, so us, in the Scottish Cup. The other games were played at the time where grind and grit was getting us through games so they were all instantly forgettable.

It’s been a great season. As GS say’s 3 trophies won, if ye count the CL and discount the last few months, which we will. So as is now the norm in these situations I’m going to go through the Double winning team…

Arfur Boruc- The Pole in the goal has become the best Celtic goalie since Simpson. In his two short years he has shown ability between the sticks that we thought that them across the river only were privy to. CL nights were his best moments but domestically he kept us alive wie saves late on in games when we were hanging on to 1 goal leads.

Perfect season then for Arfur? Nae, he sold two goals against the h*ns which I will hold against him. But he gets extra points for being as mad as a brush and for his own personal flag day.

Rating 9

Lee Naylor- Journeyman from Wolves we cried. Maist natural left back we have had in decade we cried by the time November came aboot. He has an engine, he likes a tackle, he is ok on the baw and like any player wishing to endear themselves to the hoops support wears his heart on his sleeve. His interview when he signed summed up the guy. He was overwhelmed to have joined us. He couldnae stop smiling. A smile that was as broad as anyone the day we won the league.

He tailed of towards the end but who didnae?

Rating 8

Mick McManus- Played for a few months wie an injury that others would have succumbed too. He was like a bear wie his right foot stuck in a trap. In Europe I thought he would be weak. He proved me wrong. His performances in the CL were, while not faultless, and were guid enough to make me think he will do a job for many years to come.

Distribution has been poor this season and he has looked shaky the last few months but I’ll put that doon to his partner in crime. Also oor lack of clean sheets means his rating is not higher.

Rating 7

Elvis- Now never loved Elvis. Always thought he was an average centre half who had a non descript career but always shone in average SPL teams. Apart from a monumental performance on his return to swinecastle he has done nuthin to change ma mind.

In fact he know pays for playing for Celtic as when he used to man handle BBJ or Sutty he would get away wie it. Now he gets pulled up for it regular. Distribution poor lacks pace but in times of siege defending he is ok. Cup final was a game for him to forget.

Signed only because Balde broke his leg and makes Balde look decent. Are we hoping Gretna is looking for a Braveheart?

Rating 4

Gary Caldwell- another “dodgy” signing when he was announced. Some saw a baw playing centre back not seen since Stubbs others a bombscare. During the course of the season we saw both. Injury robbed him of continuing his guid form and on his return his rusty ness and lack of mobility was exposed at full back.

Apart from that game in Lisboa I canny remember him having many howlers at CL level or domestically- he annoyed Jim Jeffries, which is always a plus- and maybe it’s no coincidence that we stopped playing fitba through the middle when he got injured. Will GS see him as a midfielder or 1st choice CB remains to be seen?

Rating 6

Bobo Balde- Never really seen much of Bobo in what could be his last season gracing the hallowed turf of CP. 6 games was his lot as Caldwell, Mick and injury all took it’s toll. I feel GS has already earmarked the £30,000 a week for elsewhere.

He done nuthin wrong when he did play, the usual failings were there but he was just Bobo.

Rating 5

Darren O’Dea- Young guy, big future. Debut at left back then shone at CB in the league and CL then struggled at LB for the last two games. GS seems to have a tendency to play guys who are not full backs at full back. Anyway, a CB who scored a few goals and snuffed oot Inzaghi and Gillardino in Milan are not to be sniffed at.

Will be aiming for Elvis zoot suit next season.

Rating 7

John Kennedy- Faultless display on his return against Killie, followed up wie two rusty looking ones in the final two games. Still looked better than Elvis had done though for the few months before that. Next season can’t come quick enough for him.

Again, will be aiming for Elvis zoot suit next season.

Rating 5

Mark Wilson- injury blighted season where his promise has been blunted wie lacklustre displays, which have been mostly due, we hope, to returning to soon from injury. Showed determination playing 35 mins wie a broken foot at Old Trafford but that knackered his season.

Rating 4

Paul Telfer- never thought the adage we’re going to miss you when yer gone would apply to the Telfmiester but it does. When he was gone we saw that he did nuthin wrong while he was there. A player who knew his limitations but was steady, unspectacular and reliable.

His last game was against AC in the San Siro. He wasn’t outplayed and he played as if he was facing Grimsby in the Simod Cup. He just sank to his knees had a wee look around him at the final whistle and left quietly.

Rating 7

JJPD- Looks ok. Scored a cup final winning goal. Unsure aboot him defending but he looks the part going forward. Solid cover for next season in the SPL only. Don’t think he has enough in his locker to be 1st choice.

Rating 5

Aiden McGeady- Oor Macca’s love child started off great then faded quicker than an evicted Big Brother contestant. Infuriating habit of disappearing in big games. His form up until the New Year was great, he has improved from previous seasons, has added the knack of scoring goals to his game, not enough mind you, and is the most natural talent we have produced in decades. Still lacks the final baw and maybe awareness of the game in general. On his day though he is a joy to behold.

Tommy Burns said he has the talent to do whatever he wants. When he starts doing it in big games then we have a player as long as he keeps progressing. I fully expect him to better next year.

Rating 7

Derek Riordan- Unfairly a bit part player, but when called upon his natural eye for goal shone through. His goals record is guid and for a while the glamour for him to be JVOH strike partner reached biblical proportions. He knows the support love him, see the cup semi final, but does oor manager love him?

Questions have been asked aboot his temperament, attitude and the fact that he might be struggling to adapt to being at a big club. After the last game of the season, GS had a go a certain players. The week later Deek was an unused sub in the cup final.

Could Deek’s Celtic career be coming to an end?

Rating 6

Jiri Jarosik- Now, here’s the enigma. Jiri was a centre midfielder who only played once or twice as a centre midfielder. In both games, I can remember, he done well. He has been used as a winger, in the hole and a centre forward. He never impressed in any.

He will now be used to recoup monies spent on Scott Broon. Not a failure just misunderstood by the manager.

Rating 2

The Grav- Blue chip baldy who has shown flashes of play making ability. Blue Chip baldy who has shown all the signs of a dug chasing a polly poke in the wind full of Tizer and Caramac. Either guid or bad never in between. Another who will be visiting estate agents doon sooth very soon.

Not misunderstood, just no very guid most of the time.

Rating 3

Neil Lennon- Final season, a season too far for some. His performances in Europe showed his worth his performances against lesser SPL teams showed what he lacked. Lenny is a dinosaur in the modern game. His position as a defensive mid is a role for athlete’s wie speed of thought and a range of passing far above Lenny.

Still all the pro’s in the know say he was a leader; an integral part and he will be missed. Sure he will as the away fans will have nae one to boo. He bowed oot a winner but a subbed one. Say’s it all.

Rating 6

Paul Hartley- Oor Zico, dummied the H*ns and joined us in Jan. He has never reached the heights of his last couple of years in a Hearts jersey and looks mair like Paul Hartley of Hibs. Needs a decent pre-season and an explosive start to next season or we will begin to doubt signing players from the SPL is worth the bother or that his guid few season where just flukey.

Rating 3

Evander Sno- Built like a boxer tackles like a flyweight Jessie. Some fantastic performances, some dodgy but that’s to be expected from a 19 year old rookie. Again, the two games against Milan made him. He didnae look oot of place those nights and it look like he had learned from his rabbit in the headlights performance against Benfica away.

Rating 6

Naka- “turning Japanese, I’m turning Japanese I really think so…..” so we were this season. The man produced the best 25 minutes performance I have seen since Lubo against Dundee Utd in December. He scored the goals that won us the league and qualified us for the CL last 16. He can change games wie a flick of his Beckhamesq left boot.

He was more prominent this season than last. He is the only un-droppable in the team. When we look back on this season we will remember Naka…

Rating 10

JVOH- Injury has probably robbed us of making a decent judgement on the big man. His legs and hammies seem as delicate as a china tea set. Before he was caught wie a dose of the Phil O’Donnell’s he was a perfect focal point. When he returned he came into a struggling team, lacking ideas apart from lumping aimless baws up to him.

His goal record speaks for itself. Next season we hope to see the early version of him and not the Phil O’Donnell one. Oh and if he gets a decent strike partner

Rating 7

Kenny Miller- unfortunately oor doubts aboot him where confirmed. Every second touch was a tackle and he lacked a killer instinct in front of goals. In a season when we didnae create many chances the fact that Kenny needed 15 chances to score 1 he was doomed from the start.

He had a purple spell, scored in Europe and against his former employers he also kept us in the cup. His fantastic work rate willnae make up for lack of goals. But he was oor best player in the cup final. Enough to save him though?

Rating 4

The Beats- Play, score, injured for two months. Touch that sometimes-matched Kenny’s. He has ability I’m sure of it. Just he will need to take his injury prone hammies elsewhere to prove it. Just to inconstant to make it at the top level. Will be seen at CP playing for Motherwell in 10 years time…

Rating 3

Magic- The pole who scores the goals was sadly absent this year. The quickest he has moved since Jan was when he was jumping around on the podium when we collected the league trophy and when we collected the Scottish Cup. He would have been the perfect foil for JVOH if he wisnny injured.

Played well against Benfica at home and eh….i canny think of any other game he played well, oh he scored the winner against the sheepies at home. Eh, that’s it.

Rating 2

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- A Doumbe Double???

2007-05-28T12:42:00.000+01:00

It was a where were you moment? Maybe, not quite up there wie the shooting of JFK but one you will remember, if only for the oddness of it all. When Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe joined the ranks of such luminaries as McGarvey, McAvennie and Miller wie the worst winning goal since the 2005-cup final and one that ranks alongside the deflected effort in the 1980 riot cup final.

Now, while Dunfermline have been getting bummed up like they were Brazil 1970 by sum quarters, the bottom-line is they never had a shot at goal in the whole 2nd half. Which is amazing considering that Jim McIntyre that world-class journeyman was giving Elvis a torrid time. Elvis had his worst game in the hoops, which is saying something.

But I suppose the meeja have to dress the showpiece end of the season up. Hampden has a reputation of throwing a party and the DJ’s choice of tunes reflected this. “Song 2” by Blur was looped for the teams coming oot and Slim Shady’s “Lose yourself” got the same treatment before the presentation. Both were meant to be fore brooding and build the tension and expectation up like a John Barrie musical score. Both failed to do their joab. Both like the meeja coverage can be accused of trying to hard.

As the game wore on and the hoops took control there was only ever going to be one winner. We were keeping the baw, being patient and for the 1st time in months the expectation of us scoring was at ease wie oor support. Well, some. The Irish fella who wanted GS sacked for taking off Lenny was quickly shouted doon and told to behave.

For me Lenny going of was the watershed moment. A moment that changed the game. The Pars weren’t troubling us and the baw needed to get moved quicker from the middle through the channels for the beats pace to exploit a creaking backline. Enter Gary Caldwell to do just that. Sometimes it didnae work and his baws failed to reach their targets but at least instead of going sideways the baw was now travelling forward doon the channels for the wilder beats to charge onto.

This tactic is something we have been looking for. Something we hope will be there next season.

We won. We partied. We danced to the Pogues and the Frattellis. We celebrated saying cherrio to team 2 and hoping for better fair performance wise next year. We wish the same yield of two trophies and a guid run in Europe mind you!!!

Overall, we do deserve the double. 28 games unbeaten during the season is testimont to a team better than the rest. Over the last few months it has been poor but as I said on Friday we won’t remember that in years to come. Nostalgia and selective memory loss will see to that.

Player ratings and blurb aboot how I think they done…..

Arfur- Looked guid in the new top and didnae get his new shorts dirty. So a 6 out of 10 for that.

JJPD- Match winner, look uncomfortable in the 1st half. Looks ok going forward, defending I’m not to sure aboot. Could be a guid squad player will do well in the SPL but Europe I don’t know. 7 out of 10 mainly for the goal and having the guts to be in the opposition pen box wie 4 mins left.

Elvis- Terrible. Bit part player next season surely? 0 out of 10. ok, then 1 for turning up.

Mick-Elvis gave Mick- a torrid time. But he was solid and Mick like. 5 out of 10.

Naylor- great run and shot in the 2nd half. Crossing poor, looks tired to the jack in the box of earlier on. 5 out of 10.

McGeady- Never in the game. Again failed to show up when the chips where doon. One decent run and cross but the pars defender had to take him oot his pocket so he could collect his medal. 3 out of 10.

Paul Zico Hartley- eh, had a decent game for me when Lenny went of. Tracked back well but still has to do more. 5 out of 10.

Lenny- Correct decision to take him off. Disappointed as he would have been the change worked so he can’t complain. 4 out of 10.

Naka- quiet, tidy on the baw looks a shadow of his former self. 3 out of 10.

KM- Was oor best forward. Pace troubled the pars back line and he was tidy in possession. Should have scored when he injured himself. Scary thing is he maybe done enough to get kept on next season. 7 out of 10.

JVOH- Big man done nuthin bar chase scraps all day. Nae service but when he did get service he was well marshalled by Bambi and Skint Wilson. Questions remain aboot his ability and whether is he is worth the price tag. 4 out of 10.

The Beats- surprising choice instead of Riordan. But, KM was troubling the Pars backline wie pace so GS went like for like. His directness gave us purpose but I couldnae help thinking that he was looking at Burchill and seeing a similar career path..6 out of 10

Caldwell- as I said in the blurb thought his forward passing and baw retention ensured that there was going to be only one winner. Quicker mover of the baw than Lenny but long term future in that role? Unsure. 6 out of 10

GS-Nae rating for the manager, as i find it hard to give a manager a rating, but credit where credit is due. He called his subs right. He picked a team and bench that showed guts. Says a lot when Jaro and The Grav are nowhere to be seen. Ballsy decision to replace Lenny.

His team was set up to win the cup by being capable of grinding oot a result. There was no attempt to recapture form, or to attain fast flowing fitba. He trusted the 13 he put on the park to do just that. What that say’s aboot the rest of them then we will find oot in the next two months.

Forza The Double Winning Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Lisboa, Seville and Hampden.

2007-05-23T12:51:00.000+01:00

This week will be a time when we wallow in what us Celtic fans love. Nostalgia, history and myth. It’s a week when we will look back at the greatest EVER Celtic team and we will remember them as if they were still pulling on the Hoops.

The Leoes de Lisboa shaped the Celtic Football Club we know today. That team and Jock Stein made the Hoops world famous. Right, we had won one off competitions before that really we shouldn’t have won and oor Irish lineage would always mean that we would have supporters all over the world but on the 25th May 1967, bhoys became men in the eyes of the fitba world.

As soon as all Hoop fans were auld enough in ma generation yer faithers would tell you aboot the Lions. It’s almost as if you need to know the story of these guys to get a grasp on how special the club is. The lions are the starting point of oor modern day history. You start in 1967 then you got back and get told aboot Wullie Maley and the foundations of the club.

It’s a great place to start. A team from Glesga becoming the 1st team to bring home the big cup when all of Britain, well England, wanted it to be Man Utd. In that game a young side, only 2 were over 30, had 39 shots at goal. They were gallus. They had flair. They had spirit. They had the “Celtic Way”

So Simpson, Craig, Gemmell, Murdoch, McNeil, Clark, Jinky, Wallace, Chalmers, Auld and Lennox we salute you and RIP the dearly departed.

Now talking aboot ma generation, mid seventies onwards, we realised early doors that wie the changing financial climate that Celtic ever reaching another European Final would be a long shot. May 20th 2003 UEFA cup final Paul Lambert lead the Hoops oot in the searing heat to face an up and coming Porto team.

It was something I never thought I would see. It was something the Celtic family thought they would never see again judging by the amount of fans that turned up in that beautiful city. I laughed this morning when Mike Parry was talking aboot the biggest movement of people since the 2nd world war due to an estimated 40,000 Liverpool fans going to Athens. Nice, for Mr Brazil to point Seville oot to him.

The run to that final I often imaging to being like what it must have felt in 1967. The tension, excitement and general disbelief that us, the selliclk, were conquering Europe. In that run to Seville I imaging the emotions I felt when Henrick scored in Boavista then realised there was 10 mins to go to be the same as listening or watching the game from Prague when a draw would see the hoops through and they were getting battered.

I also imaging when we equalised for the 2nd time in Seville it must have felt like that in Lisboa when Tommy Gemmell equalised. That’s the over-riding emotion that I remember from that game is after the delirium of the 1st goal, I ended up on the deck under a pile of bodies, the second one was meet by, great celebrations don’t get me wrong, but muted compared to the 1st.

The reason being, we believed that Henrick’s second was only prelude to the main event. The Pearl and Dean adverts before the main feature. We believed we were going to win. Right, I haven’t watched the game since the real time events in the stadium. The road to Seville DVD gets switched off before the final.

But I believe that we had with stood all Porto and threw at us and they were a spent force. They’re tactics after that goal changed to the cheating, play acting bassa’s we just like the lions had a spirit that oor better opponents just couldnae handle.

We all know what happened. The final whistle went and I have never felt more complete as a Celtic fan. “We love you Celtic” rang oot from the stadium drowning oot the Porto fans.

We lost the battle but we conquered Europe again.

This week ends with us competing in a competition that we hold dear and also a competition that we usually causes drama, excitement, sometimes heartbreak, joy and it plays a massive part in the Celtic folklore.

Ma 1st memory of Hampden was the 1985 final. The turnstiles had been renewed at the Celtic end and had broken-down. The polis, in traditional Glesga wisdom decided to open the gates, for short periods of time then close them; letting a stream of people in. it was bedlam. I was crushed against a wall, FaitherG was screaming at the polis to let us in.

Next thing I knew, I was howked of ma feet by a big polisman, glad to say the only time I have been lifted by the polis, the crowd parted like the Red Sea and I was in the ground. At the top of the stairs, faither turned round and said, “You still got ma fags?” as he gave me them for safe keeping in the crush!!

No, thought for ma wellbeing the bassa!!!

Anyway, ma first Hampden experience lived up to what I had been told aboot the hoops in the Scottish Cup. Goal doon and two late goals to win it. From ma view point, planked on a cross barrier, I remember Provan’s free kick being awarded and faither grabbing me saying he scored from this position last week. I remember the bear epitomising what the bear was aboot charging doon the wing and crossing in for the winner.

Ma love affair wie Hampden in May had begun and it has never waned.

Now, for me to complete a double, the double, is special. For any player to be a member of a double wining team is a badge of honour. No matter what has happened to oor form recently there is surely enough Celtic minded Bhoys in the dressing room that have memories of famous Cup victories from their childhoods.

Enough for them to know that if they win a place in the history of the club is ensured. This week, wie all the lion’s things going on, the privilege for them to be playing in the Hoops should hit home. Even some of the foreigner chappies will know. Read that JVOH knows his history very well.

Looking back, if we complete the double and coupled wie that the qualification for the last 16 of the Champs League then in years to come oor grand weans will wonder what we were moaning aboot. But the fact is we willnae moan.

We will tell them aboot Naka’s goal against Man U and Killie, aboot the team finding that Celtic spirit and keeping the potential European champions at bay for 180 mins wie a young side wie a core of Celtic minded men. We will celebrate the guid and forget the numerous bad. But that is years doon the line and that is if only we complete the double.

This week, wie the celebrations celebrating the birth of Celtic, as we know it I have had a premonition. Aiden McGeady will score and inspire the hoops to a cup victory. Why do I think this? Well it just seems right in this special week.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- On The Fringe Of A Cup Final

2007-05-21T13:08:00.000+01:00

So I’m not going to try and comment on a game I never saw. In fact I never even heard it. Radio Tuechter decided in their wisdom that they would broadcast one game and that was from the Granite City. Setanta decided that the game wisnny even worth showing highlights off after the main event, which was qualification for the privilege to get tanned from a team of Latvian minnows.

So I’m driving blind. Can only go wie what I have read. So here goes, end of season game, surprisingly entertaining, Barney looked guid, Grav can get a taxi the now to the lower reaches of the EPL, will the real Paul Hartley please stand up and we lack that killer instinct in the last third.

Lacking the killer instinct? Story of the season. Lack of pace in the midfield? Story of the season. So nae need to go over them. Team two won’t see another pre-season but they still have this season to finish off. And is anyone else worried that they may struggle? I for one are not counting ma chickens. In fact I’m worried that the fox may eat ma chickens before Saturday night.

So yesterday, GS gave the fringe players the chance. A chance to fight their way into the reckoning for a Cup Final spot. Aye right, I have always said that injuries apart GS knew his cup final 11. The players also knew this. So why did we maybe expect the players to pick up the baton and perform? The fringe ones, on the park, knew they would be either picking splinters oot their behinds on the bench or sitting in the stand suited and booted.

We have entered the same situation as was MON forte. GS has the ones he trusts and the others will maybe get the nod, here and there when injuries and suspensions hit. Maybe this has something to do wie the manager being let doon badly by some this season.

For a manager to expect players who huvnae been getting a game when the club has been freewheeling doonhill recently to pick themselves up for a meaningless match in the hoop of maybe, just maybe sneaking a cup final spot is just sheer folly.

Again, the players should have professional pride they should know that cup finals don't come round every year and passing up the chance to maybe starting in one, makes me question attitude. But professional pride should have kicked in to the mainstays over the last few weeks. It didnae. The mainstays have made us question them and hope for a successful end to the season rather than expect one.

Professional pride should have also kicked in when the fringe players realised that they weren’t just playing for a cup final jersey they were playing for their futures and some should be looking over their shoulders and be as anxious as I am regarding ma phone not ringing to give me cup final tickets. A taxi is a comin and it’s been upgraded to a seven seater.

So, from yesterday who were the fringe player’s wie hopes of maybe playing next week? And who are now packing their bags, IMO mind nae rumours or whispers only ma opinion, and looking at summer holidays packing boxes and moving hoose.

JJPD- The guy has done well recently. Done well without being spectacular. Likes a tackle and is comfortable on the baw. Expect him to be replaced by Caldwell for the CF before not getting a contract. A life in the fizzy pop league beckons.

JFK- Mair hope than anything here that he may have sneaked in instead of Elvis. Pre-season is massive for him as the CF has come to soon and GS’s insistence that Elvis is a player means that he gets the nod to add his “experience” to the CF line up. If only he could add talent.

The Grav- Hope he has rented accommodation wie a big plasma screen, as I think that’s the only way he will see the cup final. Estate agents doon sooth are probably being called today wie him looking to buy. Tommy it should have been great. Instead you have been more Tommy Cooper than Tommy Gravesan.

O’Dea- Never a left back but see JFK for the Elvis problem.

Barney- never really had any chance did he?

Beattie- never really had any chance did he? Maybe he should get used to Easter Road’s surroundings. After KM’s last ooting he is now shootie in for a starting 11 slot but only because The Beats performances or non-performances have made him the better option. If only Craig could stay on his feet long enough to shootie in. If only magic would wake up from his slumber.

Riordan- Scored, looks dangerous and compliments JVOH well. Probably booked his place on the bench and also probably ensured he will get game time. Strikers need to score. Derek does where others don’t. But does the future look guid when KM is above you in the pecking order?

So the cup final team picks it’s self. Those who didnae perform or turn up at Ibrox- 2nd half team- get the chance to redeem themselves. I will travel mair in hope than expectation. It’s been that sort of season.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- The signing of Broon leaves this malcontent wie not much to moan aboot…

2007-05-16T12:54:00.000+01:00

For a board malcontent like maself, whom since the infamous “sack the board” wars of the early 90’s disnny trust chief exec, chairmen or anyone in power, then the fact that they are signing £4.5 million cheques and thus showing some signs of ambition leaves me wie not much to moan aboot.

Yer arse, Mrs G disnny call me Victor for nothing so here goes. I think we have paid £2.5 million pound too much for Scott Broon. Hibs have played us like a fiddle and got over the odds for a player wie it all still to prove. I really do feel once Hibs had courted the bidding the war then we should have withdrew oor interest and let him go to Boro or Everton. Bottom line is once the price started rising or friends over the Clyde weren’t going to be interested so by us not signing him then it wisnny strengthening them.

There you go I feel better. But we have signed him and I am pleased we have signed him. It just shows how the market place has changed. The last promising young midfielder we purchased from a Scottish club we paid well under a million for. Now, we are paying over 4 for the same potential. We also paid over the odds for a 31 year old from a Scottish Club in the winter.

I’m sure GS will admit that he has paid over the odds for him, but once the EPL clubs flexed their muscles then the price was always rising. We offered over £4 million for both Thomson and Broon in the winter. We boiked at paying £2million for Thomson alone, which maybe shows you what one was the more highly rated by those suits in the know.

The signing has once again fired the focus on oor friends on the south west of the city. 3 signing targets have now joined the Hoops. Skippy, Hartley- who was on his way to Murray Park to sign, oh and yes he does look like John Greig- and now the saviour of der h*n midfield Broon.

If they thought they got one over on us wie Thomson, I think we have proved that they are miles behind now. I wish it didnae come doon to us gloating over the fact that we have mair money. I wish we had proved on the park- esp the last two derby games- that we we’re miles ahead on the field, I wish we could have played attractive fitbaw to make the doubters who have called us the worst Celtic team ever to win the league eat their words.

Money disnny buy success and as it has been proved can easily disappear as quick as we land it. We require an infrastructure, which ensures that when the massive spends are not an option we have faith in oor scouting, youth system and coaching staff. Even when you have the ability to have a massive spend if you don’t have faith in your infrastructure then see King Kenny and Digger Barnes dream team.

But, that’s a worry for another day. Last night like vultures circling oor pray we gathered round the radios to, hopefully, listen to Derek Johnstone resigning for his claim the Broon going to ra gers was a done deal. Nae danger, the big gallot stuck to his guns, mentioned gentleman’s agreement- highly illegal them are they no?- and went on to say that his pal, Wally, will get better than Broon for less. In this he was backed up by Hugh jump the dyke Keevins another who panders to Murray’s flute.

It was siege mentality radio, one which proves once and for all that Radio Clyde is nothing sort of a r*ngers party political broadcast, fronted by fools. I will never listen to that station again. In fact this morning I changed the office radio from Clyde to the lesser evil real.

So with Lawell signing big cheques will the Hoops now buy from the top end? If we are willing to pay £25,000 a week for potential surely we will be willing to pay that for proven ability? If we are willing to shell out big bucks on potential then again the same rule should apply.

A £6 million fee for a Bellamy type should no longer be boiked at. A few million for a Komas or Barton should no longer be frowned upon. These fees and wages will all be negated by departures. The books will balance.

Got the new Celtic Leoes de Lisboa tastic merchandise catalogue through the door yesterday. Aye, want me to spend money but not gie me tickets the urchins. But I digress, the photo on the front has the Lisboa team alongside the current Celtic team. The current team has some faces missing, Lenny apart, I mean he widnae want to get left oot the photo shoot, so is it a pointer to the future?

The players included are, Lenny, Magic, Mick, JVOH, O’Dea, Sno, Wilson, Naka, Tommy G, Arfur, Mark Broon, Elvis, Deek, Aiden, Hartley and the Beats. Those missing, apart from JFK, widnae be missed if a taxi was forthcoming.

Forza The Hoops.

The Lotw Diary Celtic 2 Sheepies 1

2007-05-14T09:10:00.000+01:00

One thirty on Saturday, we are standing in the boozer waiting on the late supporters bus. The reason the bus is late, is due to the fact oot of 24 season ticket holders and 35 members, there is only SEVEN of us waiting to go to the game. We sent oor 33 seater back to the depot and were awaiting a smaller mode of transport.

Talk was off in all seriousness going to Airdrie to watch the Albion, hopefully condemning the nice beastie boys to life in the 2nd division. The younger ones thought this was a great idea, us, older, maybe wiser but ones who had the unfortunate pleasure of going to the old Broomfield were thinking slightly different.

Decision was takening to go to CP, if the game was pants then pub at half time. We would go in but the mood was after last week’s no-show why should we show up. Right, Lenny’s last game at CP but the only reason most decided to go to game was the fact that we were told he wisnny playing. We thought the changes would be rung wie a new broom in charge for a game.

As the bus neared CP, the news that there had been a dramatic u-turn and Lenny was playing filtered through. Now, who exactly run’s the team? The fact of the matter is Lenny wisnny playing; the board sold the game as Lenny’s farewell and due to this told the management to play him. Now, wie rumours abound that players are being bought for potentially brand exploiting and not fitbaw ability this decision, not taking by the fitbaw side, but by the financial side makes you, again, question the backbone of oor management.

The board say all the time that GS, never complains and is an esteemed man. Nae wonder it seems he panders to their every wim.

Anyway, the team list was read oot and the feeling of interested in the game faded. Kenny Miller wie JVOH. Rioirdon for McGeady. Nae rest for Naka, JJPD getting another chance to impress, JFK returning to his rightful place instead of Elvis and Lee Naylor getting the chance again to re-gain early season promise. Nae exciting changes. The usual suspects getting a wee run oot.

Now, I have heard it was a guid game. I only saw one half. In the one half that I saw nothing was different. Maybe a bit more energy was shown but the slow pace, lack of creativity and lack of edge was plain to see. I’m probably just scunnered right enough. It’s taking me longer to forgive these players for last week and the general apathy that has meet this season has caught me like a North Sea fisherman catching illegal cod.

The guid oot the 1st half was this. Oor Zico, became the Zico like Paul Hartley last seen annoying the living daylights oot of me in a maroon jersey. His lung bursting runs into the box and creativity were what we paid guid money for. His set up play for the second goal- saw it on setanta- was great and it was nice to see him finally look like a player.

JJPD made a mockery of ma Mo Camara comparison. Composed on the ball, pacy and sure of his own ability the bhoy looks like he could do a job for us. He is a better option than Caldwell- who will return at RB for the Cup Final- and also could be decent back up at RB for Wilson. In fact, he may make that spot his own if Willo’s loss of form continues at the start of next season. Will he get a contract though?

JVOH showed again he is a goalscorer who will frustrate and please with equal measure. He spent the 1st half making Russell Anderson look like a player but scored a poachers goal. Making Russell Anderson look like a player is worrying as oor manager has a tendency to buy players who play well against us- see Elvis and Hartley- no matter how often we bleat that they are coo’s.

I left at half time. Went to the pub to find the pub jumping wie other like-minded fans. Most I spoke to all the felt the same as me. While glad for the league, the performances of the players recently have made us think they are unworthy of oor effort in supporting them. That will change of course. The week of the cup final will see us remember the guid things they have achieved this season. Mind you, a wee victory against a struggling Hibs side coupled by another improved performance will do that as well.

And also a wee look at the results yesterday, wie them getting beat, Man Utd losing and Liverpool drawing wie a relegated shows that end of season apathy is just not a Celtic trait.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Friday

2007-05-11T08:52:00.000+01:00

Wie wee Gordie now on hospital leave, it puts, us, the doubters, in a strange position. While we were all wondering how he would pick up the troops after the trampling under the foot of the wilderbeasts last Saturday. The wee man has slipped us a shimmy and left the team in the capable hands, hopefully, of Pendry and Burns.

Now I think it’s shocking that a man that gets paid a fair amount of wonga a season can decided to bring forward his operation at a critical time. Critical as the team have a Cup Final to prepare for and, lets not beat aboot the outback here, are ten pailfull of wilderbeast dung at the moment on the park.

Is it any wonder that the team have been unprofessional over the last few weeks when we see decisions like this being made?

Anyway, how can we mump, moan and berate his team selection if he is not there? If the two in charge decide to go wie the usual suspects instead of throwing in a few Kaiser Sosa’s then who can blame them? They’re only organ grinders to GS’s monkey.

Surely he will have had a breakfast meeting, power lunch or brunch wie his cohorts and told them what to do, who to play, who not to play and that they need to give Kenny a game cause we are trying to get cash for him? Oh, and that Hartley needs a medal and the Grav only gets paid if he plays so he is to get kept on the bench?

Suddenly the thought of spending the afternoon in the London Road Tav seems unattractive. The thought of seeing how the mice play when the cats away is appealing. Wonder if TB is franticly phoning Paulo, Jorge and Thom asking if they fancy a run oot. Wonder if he is dusting doon his blueprint of 4-1-5 systems and pinning it on the board?

Years of working under, cautious managers for want of a better word, like Vogts and Strachan and also his wisdom, due to his advancing years, that the 4-1-5 system was entertaining but sheer folly at times has, probably, dulled his mindset like the grey has dulled his ginger barnet.

The fact that he is presiding over a team, who died in a muggy night in Milan and are Kaka’d will mean a cautious, softly, softly approach, which should breed confidence rather than re-capturing the spirit of 96. And also that the sheepies need a result and will be up for it.

Only one thing is guaranteed tomorrow. Neil Lennon will play. Well, I say play; he will be on the park so we can say cheerio to him, if you believe the PR hype. I’m sure really if you asked Neil he would never have wanted his last home game to be sparsely attended and meet wie general apathy.

Well, you and yer mates have made that rod for yer own backs Neil. You have been unprofessional and when the fans see you not caring less, not entertaining why should we bother turning up? Off course most will turn up, we have paid for the game, but I’m sure Lenny is mair looking forward to the cup final farewell than tomorrow.

Mind you, apart from the Ghod of Larsson, all farewells of the MON stalwarts have been muted to say the least. Saint Martin of O’Neill’s cup final was the worst in living memory mainly due to coming on the back of the worst day in oor history.

Comparisons from that season to this can be made however tedious they maybe. But we won the cup that day. Maybe an omen? Poorly performing team wins poor cup final to give a stalwart one last hurrah?

That’s to be worried aboot later though.

Forza The Strachan less Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Thursday. The Entertainers.

2007-05-10T09:09:00.000+01:00

So the Hoops fans have spoken and oor choices for player of the year and young player of the year say a lot for the mindset of us. It’s says a lot of what we look for in players when the pull on that famous jersey. We don’t look for them to hide or not be brave, we look for them to be creative to be entertaining and we want a manager, which allows these players to flourish.

For all that has happened recently, one thing canny be denied. GS has allowed flair players to play a big part in his Celtic’s teams. In fact such a big part that when these boys have shot their bolt the others have been found wanting in the creative department. It’s no surprise to me that oor team has stopped creating and scoring while Naka and Aiden have been struggling.

We have relied on individual brilliance this season to dig us oot of holes. Mistakes, both on and off the park have been glossed over by a wee shimmy, a killer ball, the baws to take on that man or that we have a man who can hit a free kick for fun. That’s why Naka and Aiden have been awarded.

Aiden has flourished as a player this season but is still blighted by the inconstancy of a 20 year old, the look of Frank McAvennie’s love child and the dress sense and hairstyle of a ned wie too much money. The fact that he accepted a diamond bracelet for his prize as young player of the year award makes me even more worried. What’s next? Him shacking up wie some actress from River City to become Clydesides own posh and becks? Oh, the modern day fitbawer.

As Tommy Burns said Aiden could be whatever he wants to be in the game. He is a natural talent, the most natural we have produced but while his hard work this year has smoothed over his rough edges his tendency to let the big games this season by pass him- Milan, Old Trafford, Ibrox- is something he has too work on. Until he becomes gallus, consistently, on the big stage then work still has to be done.

Unlike Naka. Apart from Ibrox he has handled the hustle and bustle of the Scottish game better this season than last. He has also been more creative in all games, until recently, even though the manager insists of not playing him in a free role, a role in which I think we would see more from him. In the CL he took to the stage like a duck to water. Right, he struggled against Milan, nothing to be ashamed off, but his goal against Man Utd will live long in the memory.

He has been braver this year. Even when he fades in and oot of games he never hides. Something him and Aiden have in common. A few weeks back Aiden was having a mare against the saints of Perth but never once did he not demand the ball or seek to get rid of it quickly when it came to him. Naka is the same. This epitomises the Celtic baw player spirit. A spirit and talent, which while unable to shine in every game it, will never hide.

It’s been a spirit in the Celtic entertainers since 1888. It’s a spirit the fans love and almost demand. We demand to be entertained. We want entertainers. Wonder if GS will take note of the fans choices when drawing up his transfer list.

Forza The Celtic Way.

The Lotw Diary- 3 Days and Calming

2007-05-09T09:21:00.000+01:00

When you think of Celtic, you think of bravery, you think of leaders and great skill and artists. Celtic’s history is littered wie players who where brought up the Celtic Way and it’s only recently that a foreign element have grown to love the club through firstly money then the passion we as a support have.

We always have had players whom Celtic was a way of life before they fulfilled all oor dreams by pulling on the hoops. Sometimes the weight of the jersey was too much for them and especially in the early 90’s it was too great for their limited ability.

Fitbaw changed and over the last 15 years, since Fergus, we have become a buying club. Oor modest spends were no more with us taking advantage of revenue streams unseen in oor history. When the market went pear shaped and we had to doon size one of the plus sides of this, for me, was the turning to young players and Scottish players to see Celtic through.

The fact we already had a youth system in place, which was geared to producing players of not SPL but CL quality meant that money would be saved. It has been saved, yes and we have produced players now that are termed 1st team regulars and also we have signed players from the SPL and Scottish internationalists.

This is what makes Saturday debacle so galling. We had players from a Celtic background and Scottish players whom know what it is aboot. Instead it was left to a Pole to have a show of defiance and an English left back to epitomise the fabled Celtic spirit.

Mick, Caldwell, McGeady, Lennon and Hartley are all Celtic men. Maybe their Celtic-ness has been diluted over the years through not watching the club while progressing their own careers but the feeling they should have pulling on that jersey should bring back childhood memories of the jungle. The fact none of them crunched through an Adam, Hutton, Novo or Fergie- something EVERY ONE of us would have done- is a disgrace.

They knew how we would be feeling.

Miller and Pressley know the score as well. While not being Celtic minded they know the importance of the game. To be hassled oot the game wie nothing but Scottish graft and harrying is nothing sort of disgraceful when over half the team know what this game is aboot and over half the team have the Scottish traits that are making the meeja think the h*ns are great.

The game wasn’t a great advert for Scottish fitbaw. In fact if it wisnny involving ma team I would have switched over after 15 mins it was that poor. Maybe that’s the doonside of bring in players wie a Scottish trait, lack of quality but usually us Scots don’t mind that as there is usually effort.

When you get none, sometimes the road to Damascus seems long and the vision of a mostly homegrown Celtic-minded team mixed wie foreigners is sheer folly. Maybe they just haven’t got the same mentality that was expensively assembled by Saint Martin of O’Neill.

Maybe again I’m just scunnered by the attitude of the modern day fitbawer….

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- 2 Days After The Embarrassment

2007-05-08T09:00:00.000+01:00

Well, I did predict it. I didnae want it to happen but I did predict it. Soulless, charlatans and dare I say it cheats? Plenty of the hordes gave the darkside 32 hard earned pounds to witness a team that couldnae give a stuff aboot us. Yes, it was meaningless game in the grand scheme but it was a pointer to the failings and the mindset of the modern fitbawer.

I don’t mind losing. In fact it’s part of the game. I want champagne fitbaw but I know that disnny happen all the time. I know that sometimes the best teams get beat. Hey, the wee fella always has the chance. But getting beat withoot an ounce of effort and professional pride, getting beat making the same mistakes over again and getting beat so easily, so meekly, so cudnae gee a flying monkey in really what is the only important game in the meaningless ones left is not on.

Nostalgia is something. And while it gives you a rose tinted view of the past on Saturday it was one of the worst Celtic performances I have seen in all ma times watching glesga derbies. I’ve seen poor players gie a lot more for the hoops than the 11 on the park on Saturday. Champions? On paper, yes in the heid nae just pampered modern day rich big egotistic loons.

When all of us were getting it tight on Saturday night, the players where probably oot on the lash spending the win bonus for winning the league. For them that’s job done. They have done their bit. Professional pride? No interested that disnny make them money. Winning a game at ipox when the job is done? No interested again the win bonus is neglible compared to winning the Scottish Cup.

While the h*ns were embarrassing us wie their embarrassment of the future, oor players didnae care what we felt. It’s just another example of the every expanding chasm between the players and fans. The fact the club treats us as consumers only add to the disposable image we have.

Makes you wonder why do we bother? We make these guys, rich and heroes only for them to cheat us. We have won the league the Scottish cup is now not looking like a formality. That was the most galling thing aboot Saturday. Dunfermline has hope due to the ineptitude of the management to raise the player’s game and the players taking their eyes of the baw.

Yes, I understand leg weariness, loss of form and yes I understand that we done the hard work months ago. But a bit of effort eh? Or will that cost another 5 grand a week?

Maybe, I’m just scunnered wie the mindset of the modern fitbawer.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Friday

2007-05-04T09:32:00.000+01:00

The day after the day before. A day after working in the middle of the range rover, 4x4 to take the weans to school belt, where plus four and golf trous are the leisure wear off the popular, old retired sergeant majors, ex polis and school teachers and worst of all posh students I have come to the conclusion the world has gone mad. Dumb down, defo anyway but no matter the brains ye canny buy common sense.

The last line can relate to the twats in UEFA who, again, missed a trick to punish the wrong doers. Are they really serious in their fight against offensive chanting and racism or are they just given it air time while air brushing it under the carpet? Anyway the ruling means the SFA and the SPL can let them away wie murder now and any noises made will be as valid as a local council ballot paper.

Tomorrow, we enter the home of the bigoted. A place that thrives on hate. If you take the hate away you are left wie nothing. You lose the heritage of the institution and yer left wie a rudderless beast. A place were ma offered ticket was quickly turned doon as I don’t need to go there. I don’t want to gie them £33.00 to fund their fun and games. In fact, it’s the 1st time that I have turned doon a ticket since i took the vow, lapsed the next time we played them, that I would never return. I don’t feel the need.

Is it because it’s a meaningless fixture? In ma time unfortunately I have been to many meaningless gelsga derbies. Early 90’s every one from Jan, or sometimes earlier, was meaningless. Thing is the Hoops used to make a habit of winning the meaningless and giving us false hope for the following season.

I remember on such game at Hampden when we humped the fabled greatest r*ngers team ever 3-0 wie goals from Paul Byrne and Rudi Vata. Met Frank Bruno that day who looked strange in a bright pink British Knights shellsuit. Did we take any hope from that game? Of course we did. Any port in the storm we took as a marker for the following season. But it didnae happen. On Saturday we will hear aboot markers and pointers but the fact of the matter is both teams won’t resemble the 11 that run oot tomorrow.

So how can you get a marker when the teams playing won’t be the same next year? R*nkers will sink further into Scotland B territory and hopefully the Hoops will replace Petrov, Maloney and Hartson. If we do that then I’m confident NO ONE will get near us again domestically.

So is there more at stake for them than us. Yes. As they retreat back to traditions of thuggery they will see this as a chance to play a Hoop team wie the eye off the baw looking at a wee date in May. Expect crunching illegal tackles, unpunished like sectarianism in Europe, to be the order of the day, as the Hoops might not fancy getting injured or suspended.

No derby game is meaning-less and I would love nothing more than the Hoops to have been fired up this week, training buzzing and Lenny cajoling his team-mates to give him one last hurrah at the place he has had so many hurrahs. Fact is I can’t see it happening. Yes, at 12.30 tomorrow I will want to see them flying into challenges and hammering home their superiority for this season.So lets put the tail between the legs of the dogs so called revival for this season but don't be suprised if we don't.

Forza The Champions

The Lotw Diary- Wednesday

2007-05-02T09:06:00.000+01:00

Do you know that a prominent, respected author named Kevin Sampson, whom works include the cracking story of Tranmere hoolies in the 80’s “Awaydays” and a story aboot a band, which sounds a bit like the Verve “Powder” started a campaign last year to re-claim the KOP.

It’s aim was to re-claim the Spion Kop and return it to traditional values. The breaking point for the author was a CL game when the fans were to busy singing aboot Man Yoo, asking the visitors who they were and asking if they could sing a song for them. He was annoyed that the KOP had been reduced to the Sky induced sub culture of the Murdoch inspired Sky generation Soccer- AM-itis.

Sounds depressingly familiar eh?

After last night I don’t think the guy has much to worry aboot. While the game was pish, the entertainment came in the tension and of course Jose getting papped oot on his arse, the Liverpool fans were immense from start to finish. So guid we maybe should give them YNWA back.

The Jungle Bhoys are trying to do the same thing at CP except I think politics and traditional values are hindering their quest. I mentioned there banner display on Sunday, failing due to apathy and late comers, that’s a viable excuse but the majority of the time some canny be arsed holding up the bit of card and the traditional value of the hoops support turning up 5 mins late is alive and well.

What hinders the Jungle Bhoys is the fact that at the revamped CP there is no longer a Jungle. The KOP is still there, the traditional meeting place is still alive, unlike CP where the traditional Jungle has been replaced wie heated seats and it’s no longer the back of yer legs being warmed by some bearded galout peshed on special brew relieving himself.

As usual the Celtic support have split into two factions. The JB’s have a foe in the Green Brigade whom seems more political in their choice of songs and mair witty and gloating in their banners. While CP will never be the same again, CL nights remind me that on oor night we can back the team as well as anyone in Europe.

Domestically we seem to pre-occupied by goading oor rivals, singing songs aboot hating r*ngers and seeing how far we can push authority by oor choice of ditties. It’s almost un-Celtic like. We should be backing oor team wie songs that inspire the current crop no matter how crap they have been playing.

At Ipox on Sunday instead of rubbing the bear’s noses in it, fun as it maybe, we should show the team that we are backing them and we are thankful that they are wearing the hoops. Forget the rebel and the folk songs- well not this land is your land as we can put that in context by saying it’s a song welcoming all nationalities in the Celtic team- sing Celtic songs that celebrate current and past players.

We could learn a lot from the Liverpool fans. Link is posted below to the reclaim the kop site.

http://www.reclaimthekop.co.uk/cgi-bin/main.pl

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary-Tuesday

2007-05-01T12:48:00.000+01:00

Listening to phone in talk based Radio stations, reading weblogs, websites and message boards confirms one thing aboot the modern day fitbaw fan. We are all really a bunch of malcontents, greeting faced loons whom are never happy.

In this day and age of mass media coverage the forum of grief is rife as success disnny sell papers or get hits but gloating at someone’s misfortune or moaning aboot yer team does. As Ocean Colour Scene said “there’s no profit in peace” and this reflects the fitbaw, reporting environment.

Maybe, it is because of the money involved in today’s game. The fact that yer club can spend shed loads of money on a right back who will be terrible then leave for sod all after a couple of years gets on peoples wick. Maybe, the fact that yer teams financial results are just as widely reported as a defeats or victories. Maybe it’s the fact that we are all nerds and Champ Manager has us believing we can do the job.

Money has dressed up the game to be this all singing all dancing shebang that you get yer kicks for free. Fact of the matter is money has developed a fear factor in teams, managers and chairmen. Greed is good said Gordon Greco but not in fitbaw terms. Greed in fitbaw can mean nae entertainment.

Last night, I listened to pundit’s lamblast a touted England manager for playing basically rough round the edges fitbaw, typical British hoof and rush game. When it was put out to the greater public for debate not one Bolton fan phoned up to back there manager, in fact their silence lead me to make the assumption that they were quite glad their successful manager had left as the fair on show was poor.

What happened was that you had Everton, Newcastle, Fulham fans coming on lambasting their clubs for not being entertaining. One Man Citee fan who last won something around the same time as r*ngers one the phone ranting he widnae go back to Eastland’s in Allyerdice became the manager.

Now the vast majority want Man Utd to win the EPL due to the fact that they are bloody entertaining and while us hoops want to see Jose smug grin wiped off his coupon. I would watch Arsenal everyday of the week, as there is always the chance they will come up wie the fabled perfect game. Yes, they have won sod all but I don’t hear many of their fans complaining. Well you do but I for one widnae be complaining.

Tonight you have a CL semi Final contested by two of the richest clubs in the world and the chances of it being entertaining are slim to none. Last weeks game between the two was as guid as a bottom six-spl game except some bottom six spl teams try to play fitbaw. In contrast to the other semi final that was brilliant due to both teams attacking flair players.

While not being the most attractive fitbaw the end of the 1st division in Scotland was entertaining. Two evenly matched teams going for it hammer and tongs until the 93rd minute. Now questions maybe asked what Gretna will bring to the party, bar another visit to Carfin, but no one can deny that both teams who where vying for that title didnae play attractive attacking fitbaw in the most high pressure of situations.

For 90 mins last night listening that phone in, I was for once in tune wie kindred spirits. I was pleased to hear that some middle of the road EPL clubs were sick to death wie win at a costs or the don’t get beat mentality.

The program made me believe that eventually the dwindling crowds, revenue and interest will force chairmen to revaluate their business plans. That being entertaining will put bums on seats. Maybe the greed is good mantra will change the game for the good for once.

But it has a hell of a long way to go.

Forza The Champions.

The Lotw Diary I Don't Like Mondays..

2007-04-30T09:10:00.000+01:00

I should have guessed when oor supporter’s bus was half full. I should have really guessed when walking up to ma turnstile there was bhoys selling tickets. When taking ma seat I should have really guessed due to the swathes of empty seats roond aboot me. What should have put the tin lid on it was the “Jungle Bhoys” display failing due to the number of empty seats in the top tier which, while meant to spell champs looked mair like chumps or nothing resembling a word.

It was going to be a damp squib and team two played their part and went along wie the apathy.

Celtic were like a guy who organises a party at his hoose, starts drinking at 2 in the afternoon, faws asleep by 10pm then awakes the following morning to find his vile neighbour has slept wie his wife and urinated on his living room shag pile.

For us to be comprehensively beaten by a team as bad as Fc Kanus of Midlothian- who are the worse Hearts team in the last two seasons- is not on. They are technically inept- Kingston apart- but highlighted oor failings so easily. We played for a 5 minute spell, but when the Dougal inspired penalty was scored the team, well, we couldnae give an arctic monkeys aboot getting themselves back in the game. When I read oor managers comments afterwards I shocked. Maybe he had been oot on the lash before the interview his team looked like they had been on the lash all week.

So is there any wonder there is apathy? Is it any wonder there has been vast empty spaces at CP all season, reducing revenue and diluting the already poor atmosphere. The poor atmosphere, which causes the DJ to try and get the party started by playing the most terrible of songs. Well, he can’t let the fans or the consumers start a song cause we wouldn’t. The songs played at a deafening volume give the impression of atmosphere but having a look round at people leaving in droves before the cup had went past and the body language of the players it was more Russ Abbot wie Bella Emburg rather than a Hugh Hefner pool party.

Maybe it, just like the team, lacks spontaneity. I mean the players look like they enjoyed last week more than this week. In fact they looked like they couldnae get of the park quick enough and the lap of honour looked forced. I think, Lenny apart, they all would have went straight up the tunnel rather than walk roond the park uninterested. I found maself hoping that if we are celebrating after the Scottish Cup final that it was better and the feeling that the players are so detached from the fans is not so overwhelming.

It was when I watching the fans leaving, listening to a DJ trying too hard, seeing the players uninterested I thought I had come to the end of ma season ticket days, why bother was ma thought. It’s changed it’s no longer not as guid as it used to be we are now a mirror image of a big club glory hunter support which I detest. But in the end it’s down to entertainment.

CP would have been jumping if we had been entertained all season.

Terry Christen, the zippy look-a-like Manc motormouth, said on Talksport on Saturday something I agreed whole-heartedly wie. Now I never thought I would agree wie him.

He said, “Awards and trophies are forgotten about by July and August but you never forget if you have been entertained”

Maybe that’s not the exact words but the sentiment is there. Strange thing is team 2 will probably be forgotten aboot by the end of May.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Friday

2007-04-27T12:55:00.000+01:00

Could this be a black Friday in the future of oor club? Has the white elephant that is, or was, Murray Park came back and shoved a tusk right up oor arse by producing a team of all conquering Brazilian esq baw players wie added giud auld thuggery thrown in? Or was it a case of men against boys in this early stage of the player’s future development?

The former is more likely wie the most glaring fact oor “golden generation” that dominated the yoof game in Scotland has moved on to the reserves, securing another league title, and 1st team and the team now trying to take the mantel are not up to the job, yet.

Now, I don’t get to under 19 games or reserve games. I’m no longer a signed up member of the weekly Pravda bulletin and I have missed, due to his work commitments, though read his match report from last night and you will see the soul of a heartbroken man, Celticblog- link on the side of the page- husnae been able to keep me abreast wie the season. So I’m restricted to reports from the offisal sites, which sometimes are typed through green tinted specs.

Yesterday, I bought ma 1st Pravda of the year. Wanted to see how the league win was reported and I wanted to see the preview of last nights game. Peter the pointer was interviewed regarding the yoof cup final as he played and one won and the Celtic under 19 manager used a teabag analogy to describe the task ahead for his bhoys.. He said you don’t know how good a teabag is until you put it in hot water.

Well I will use a Peter Kay analogy to surmise the outcome. R*ngers were the hobnobs of tea dunking biscuits when faced wie the hot water and the young hoops well were Lidils rich tea and disintegrated at the 1st sign of the boiling cup.

The hoops coaching staff wanted to see if the bhoys had the mental strength to play for the hoops and some were left found wanting. From the reports I read r*ngers were the more physical, mature side and the young hoops struggled to stand up against this.

Yes, early goals make a difference in the outcome of games but as some of the bhoys wake up this morning, bodies aching and probably feeling doon some will be envisaging careers wie Ross County, Stenhousemuir and Sligo Rovers after such a failure in a high profile match.

Right, the league disnny lie and one win apiece in the league, heid to heid, and level on points going into the final game maybe is a better indicator of both teams. The damage last night collapse could cause for this group could be untold. Then again it could prove to be fluke and the bhoys will grow and mature as from what I have read they are a very young side and one in fact I didnae recognise any names apart from Sheridan, Caddis and Millar.

Thing is from what I have seen from oor main rivals recently at 1st team level the anti fitbaw is alive and well and the young bhoys will need to get used to the thug in fitbaw boots approach. Make no mistake last night and the way we go aboot recovering from it is a test to the yoof program at CP.

Oh a wee aside, as they across the road celebrate their any port in a storm victory have a wee look at their team sheet, remember the names that are being lauded today and see how many are aboot in five years time.

I’m willing to bet more from the Hoops team will still be at CP plying their trade.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary..Lennyday

2007-04-26T09:00:00.000+01:00

So it’s a case of the King is dead, long live the King. Biggest question is who are the bigoted bods who frequent the darkest corners of Scotland going to abuse now? Who is going to take the mantel of the most hated Hooped player?

Well, having a think aboot it there is only one player that will relish that mantel. One player who I hated before he came to us. Step forward oor Zico, oor Paul Hartley the bearded midfielder who will love the task of filling Lenny’s size 10’s.

Hartley was always a wee nark wie Hearts. The heartbeat of a foreign team in the Scottish league. He was a mouth, an annoyance a pain in the arse and had the type of face you wouldnae get tired off smacking wie a big kipper. Wie Lenny moving to top of his retirement fund elsewhere it gives oor Zico the perfect platform to return to that player. The player we paid over a million for.

Also the fact the Lenny is leaving means other characters in the dressing room will know get the chance to shine. Others who felt in awe of the fact that Lenny was one of the old guard will now maybe feel more comfortable speaking oot, encouraging and joking. In fact I feel it’s a perfect time for the last of the old guard to leave.

The club has a feel guid factor, which must be a joy to play in. the squad seems to have a bit of spirit and character where players feel comfortable. While Lenny is a part of that he surely now realises that nothing lasts forever.

It’s been the correct decision by him. It’s been a decision influenced by a wee talk wie the manager where the prospect of him waving the bhoys away to do battle was the option on the table. The old warehouse would have been dusted doon for Lenny type games then put back into storage. Fact is I thought that would have happened this year.

It’s no surprise that Lenny’s best performances have came in Lenny type games while his other forgettable performances have came in games when his type of player wouldnae have been able to influence proceedings anyway. He excelled in tight games while expansive free flowing games his limitations were shown up.

He knows it’s time. He knows that the game has changed and a bit like Kenao last year it’s a young mans game.

We have a lot to thank Lenny for. A general for two managers, one who would have let him marry his daughters and another when looking for an allie in a dark time saw a bit of himself in the ginger from Lurgan. He was part of the team that took Celtic to heights not seen for a generation. For that he will always be remembered. He also was a character whose impetuous temper made you cringe at times.

5 titles, 2 as captain mean that he has lived his dream to the full. Something all of us wanted to do.

Forza Lenny’s Champions

The Lotw Diary- Wednesday

2007-04-25T12:45:00.000+01:00

It was like a yoof club meeting of the best young players in the world last night. They didnae disappoint either. What was mair pleasing, is that of them on show only Kaka done any damage to us. We shackled Rooney and Naylor shackled Ronaldo. But Kaka was a different kettle of fish.

Accusations can be levelled that Man Yoo and AC never stepped up to the plate against us, well every season they enter CL wie thoughts of winning the thing, while we enter the thing dreaming of away victories and qualification for the last 16.

But then that does us an injustice. While we hung on against Man Yoo at home only for them to be Naka’d against Milan we did hold oor own withoot ever looking like winning the tie. We competed against two semi finalists and potential winners. That’s all we could ask for. We can all dream that one day we will add the quality to maybe get a result.

Kaka’s goal against us was like watching perpetual motion. I have never seen a player move as fast, as gracefully and in such control of the ball as that night in Milan. In fact, it was a joy to go oot to such a goal. Rooney overshadowed him last night but then Rooney is the only player who is as close to the real deal as Kaka.

While both of those players are way oot of oor league, in terms of buying them, the chances of us producing player’s wie a potential to compete at the higher level is increasing. Whether we will see these players fully develop is another question.

Tommy Burns yesterday berated the fact that players he has produced have left for nothing. Liam Miller and Shaun Maloney were the main gripes of his irk. Burns having seen these leads blossom into 1st team regulars saw their heids turned by lucre or by a wage structure unwilling to accommodate demands.

While one, has now found solace in the North East after chasing a boyhood dream that was doomed from the start and the other is still unproven. The lure of the south looms large over us and players bought and reared will always pick up interest from over the border.

The CL is the only place to be seen and we will find that to oor cost. Burns rates Aiden McGeady as the best he has seen. Could go on to anything if he keeps on progressing at the rate he is. Thing is with Aiden how long will Aiden be occupied with maybe qualifying for the last 16 or even only the main group stage every year, if we are lucky, or visiting empty hell holes week in week out?

His heid could be turned not maybe to a move to one of the big four but a middle order EPL club for a season or two to get noticed. He would get handsomely paid for that option. Then again while he was playing for a league title, Shaun and Stan were playing a meaningless match which didnae matter to anyone outside Pompey or Birmingham.

We have blooded youngsters this season at the highest stage. They now have a taste and maybe life back on the bench or the reserve will not occupy some. O’Dea will have strong competition for a regular starting berth but one I feel he can cope wie. Also the return of Kennedy while being heralded as the return of the new ceaser, wrongly in my opinion at this moment in time as the lad still has months of hard work to do.

Tommy Burns said that Celtic have only been a buying club in the last 10 years. Before that modest signings from the SPL was the norm wie replacements found from the youths. A pattern, which I have noticing developing again over the last two seasons. This is the 1st phase of Celtic following the model of the Dutch clubs like PSV and Ajax. We are aiming for the hybrid of the two.

PSV plunder far-reaching corners of the globe for gems and also the lower reaches of the Dutch league get a few seasons from them then move them on at profit. Ajax rear them, take them as far as they can go then sell for profit once the players heid has been turned.

Both teams are constantly changing, nothing lasts forever. Something I think us at Celtic will need to get used to.
Forza The Champions.

The Lotw Diary- The Day After The Day Before

2007-04-24T08:53:00.000+01:00

Phone call at 4.30pm yesterday. My neighbour, Johnny an ok Hearts fan, had a spare ticket for Ocean Colour Scene at the Albert Halls and wondered if I would go. Now, not one to knock back a freebie I said ok, I mean, Mrs G was going so I was spending the night in front of Hoops TV feeling sorry for maself over ma hangover.

Meet Johnny in a chain pub whom colours are Dublin blue. It was the back of five and when I walked in the place was mobbed. Guys suited and booted, others obviously been oot all day and folk going to a rare concert in the toon. But one thing struck me. The majority were all Tims. The title parrtttyyyy was alive and well.

Handshakes, hugs and laughs were the order of the day. Stirling, despite having three of the largest supporters buses hailing from the area and 10 in a 15-mile radius, disnny have the reputation as a Tim friendly place but last night it was an extended Tim party. Every conversation was aboot a vintage free kick that summed up a far from vintage season. Bottom-line was the way we have won it has meant the precession since November while being boring has been worth the wait due to winning it in the last minute.

The way we won it has seemingly given it added meaning. An edge that had been missing for the last few weeks. It’s almost as if the mumps and moans have disappeared and the free kick has given the whole place a massive boost. A massive belief in the team’s ability once more. Ma mate said that wie that goal instead of giving the orcs a wee boost we probably won the league again next year such is the feel good factor generated.

So a six pinter on a school night and another celebration. Tonight sees two teams we have pushed this season in the semi final of the Champs League. Another reason to look back and smile. But ma phone is switched off. A wee night of quiet reflection and smug satisfaction is in order……
Forza The Champions

The Lotw Diary- Champions

2007-04-23T08:48:00.000+01:00

That just summed up oor season. A guid first half coupled by a dodgy second and won wie a last minute bit of genius. It was a fitting end to the longest title precession in history. One, which captured the essence of “Team 2”, bottled it and sprayed it on like a cheap aftershave to all the rest of the SPL.

And it was magic.

As the Killie hoards sang, ”we’re only here for a party” again gloating in oor shortcomings, the wee genius, again, stepped up and done what he does. A free kick that wrong footed EVERYBODY in Scotland never mind Rugby Park. I must admit I went mental. Mrs G was embarrassed at ma reaction so was Faither G. The boy next door who had come oot to wash his car in his r*ngers top when Killie equalised went back indoors, tail firmly between his legs.

When we look back on this season two Naka moments will live long in the memory. Yesterday and that glorious night against Man Yoo. When we look back on the season we will need to remember that doing the double dunter unbeaten home and away against the SPL. We will be impressed by the fact that we came back after the CL games and never crumbled. That’s when this team earned it’s right to be called champions. Not over the last few weeks.

Yesterday was not a day for grumbles…but I have two. GS acting like a politician trying to be loved wie his kiddie snatching routine, wee man yer team does the talking for you stop trying too hard to be loved and also his strange sub of Gravesan for McGeady. But two in a row makes up for that.

The celebrations were magical; the feeling I got was of immense pride and also a little embarrassment that I have maybe been hard on the players over the last few weeks. A lot to build on but also yesterday performance proved a lot of work still to do.

But geniuses win games. And we are lucky that we are in the financial position that we can buy geniuses. The embers are there that we are maybe just starting to produce them and it’s up to oor man to ensure that they fufill that promise.

Hung-over and proud…..FORZA THE CHAMPIONS

The Lotw Diary- Friday

2007-04-20T09:01:00.000+01:00

Since the hoops have forgotten the basics of the game last night at ma fives I found the answer. It’s the future. 3-a-side Wembley. A game where passing, moving and creative individuality are required. Instead of the management giving the players a few days off they should have been in playing this innovative coaching break through.

Tiring though, and I remember the days when we used to play that all day. This morning all the bones in ma body are aching and I’m cursing the rouse that is lazyitis and working back shift, which caused us to have seven bodies.

Few days off to recharge the ginger in charge has given the team. Chance to take the pressure off and for them not to think too much aboot winning the league as the lack of character may make them soil their pants. but again GS points oot a few home truths to us doubters.

Yes, it is a marathon and the players are feeling the pressure a bit. A look around Europe and also a wee look at the last 16 of the CL and all teams who where there and healthy leads have struggled since those round of games. Inter, Psv and Lyon all had their title won by Xmas all have went through the motions since then. So much so that Psv has had a few hefty defeats and Lyon are being praised in the French press for character while not playing well. Inter always had the buffer zone of their strongest challengers being handicapped at the start of the season.

One country where the titles are still in the air is England. The EPL have seen Man Utd and Chelski trade blow for blow and produce high-class performances along the way. This week I saw two teams take on two relegation fodder teams and win wie performances that could be classed as below their usual standard. Did I hear bleating from their fans?

The league below Sunderland has been producing performances for oor Keano. An undefeated run since the turn of the year has meant if results go there way they get promoted tomorrow. The only teams that are firing on all cylinders at this stage are teams that still have the work to do.

I’m willing to accept that. But I’m not willing to accept is the fact that the team needs freshened up, the gameplan needs to be looked at and also the manager has to accept that some of his ideas huvnae worked. Unlike in days gone by we now have the players to freshen things up and think oot the box. Maybe once the finishing line has been crossed then this will happen. I’m proud of what the team has achieved just frustrated that we haven’t hammered home the fact we are the best team in Scotland.

Since r*ngers goal at CP the team has visibly deflated. The high of running AC so close disappeared in one fluky moment. Doubts crept in. the players maybe started feeling the niggles and the heavy legs. I expect another scramble on Sunday. I want a Brazil 1970 performance. But I will be comfortable if we win ugly.

I will also be comfortable not being there. I have had no pressure this week at all trying to get a ticket and fretting aboot coming up wie plums. Had no stress yesterday trying to phone one wee wiman at the ticket office for one of the 800 tickets. One thing I found laughable was the fact that 21,000 calls were made for those tickets I wonder how many have been to an away game this season?

Site cohort seven got tickets from the hotline. I’m chuffed for him. He has been to his fair share of away games. Me, I would be embarrassed to take the tickets I have been offered. You see I’m a believer that you reap what you sow in this life. I’ve only been to two domestic away games and have never taken a ticket this season when they have in plentiful supply.

So do I deserve to get a ticket? Nah, probably not but I’m fine wie that. I have the bunting looked oot a bottle of moet chilling and the beer for the other bhoys who are coming round bought. Thing is, due to ma experiences at the two away games i have been at, I suspect if another below par performance is forthcoming the atmosphere in ma hoose will be a lot better than in the Moffat or Chadwick Stands.

Forza The Champions in waiting.

The Lotw Diary Thursday

2007-04-19T09:00:00.001+01:00

Maybe it’s nerves. Maybe it wis the cheese I had at 8 o’clock last night. But whatever it was I had a strange dream. Rugby Park was the venue and we HAD won the league. GS was doing an interview and he had a go at the support. I think he did. There were no faces, it was bit like CCTV footage wie flesh coloured blobs round folk’s faces, but only voices. It was all a bit Life On Mars. Was it real, was it a coma, did he kill himself?

So from 2 o’clock this morning ma mind has been racing wie thoughts that maybe we are being too hard on the man in charge. Maybe ma subconscious is pulling me back from hunnish thinking by slagging a manager who is winning things and taking us to far of lands never reached before. Maybe I shoulnae have listened to Radio Snide’s phone in.

I usually abstain from Scottish Fitbaw phone ins. We know the script one is pro ger the other a joke wie two clowns who readily admit to knowing sod all aboot the game. Talksport is ma beef but wie Ian Wright now on drivetime, one guy who really annoys me, then alternative listening is the name of the game.

We were getting it in the neck from the panel regarding oor criticism of players and the manager. Stats were trotted oot but no in-depth look at the performances or reasoning behind decisions was forthcoming. Then this morning in the Herald Darryl Bentfoot trots out some lackie who deals wie psychobabble and fires a numpties observation that GS problem is he never played for us, he is not catholic or Irish.

Whit a load of tosh, for the majority. Sorry to say that some in the support have that view but it is not one shared by the majority. I really couldnae care that GS is not any of the above. I’m not catholic or Irish either does that mean I’m not accepted at CP either? Fact is we are questioning his decision making due to the fact the team is looking jaded and we feel he has players wie skills to pay the bills in the locker to freshen things up.

What is annoying me more is we are given the meeja a perfect platform to promote their Celtic in crisis agenda. A platform to show us the fans in a bad light and it will only get worse if GS leaves. The meeja reaction to that happening is not worth thinking aboot. They won’t question the culture side of thing that GS has mentioned a few times in interviews. We will get the blame and rightly so, as we will be as guilty as the ned who abused oor manager in the street.

I’m hoping the winning of the league changes the attitude and feeling of the support that has made the last few weeks quite sickening. Maybe when it’s all over some will look in the mirror and realise they didnae like what was staring back at them.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Wednesday

2007-04-18T12:20:00.000+01:00

As usual wie these games the clamour for tickets gets to an almost frantic stage and all look for a scapegoat if they don’t receive them. It’s usually the ticket office, the fat cats or some dodgy feck at the affiliation or the association that gets in the neck.

This week the Killie chairman is that scapegoat. He has come oot and said they won’t give up any home areas to accommodate extra Hoops fans, even though they could make a shite load of cash from it. Looking after his own is his party line after implying they received complaints from Killie fans in the 2002/03 season when there was some trouble on the last day of the season.

Yes, there was a bit of friction mainly because the Kilmarnock fans celebrated oor rivals winning the league and a certain player received a right hook for singing a now banned song going up the tunnel. But that’s fitbaw. Fans are desperate enough to see their team will go in areas not for them.

The Killie chairman seems to have forgot we won the league there the following season withoot any bother. Maybe that says we are bad losers or the Killie fans that sensed blood the season before just decided to stay away and watch in their hovels.

I suspect a bit of both. Mind you the season before was an emotional week for all linked wie the hoops. The sun of Seville to the realisation at Rugby Park that we were going to win nothing was a comedoon that took the whole summer to get over. The men in white coats who produce papers on the state of the human mind hit the nail on the heid when they came up wie post-season depression. Never been so low for months as I was after that week.

Thing is I actually quite back up the chairmen view wie regards not moving his own fans. It’s a very noble view and one in this day and age of greed should be applauded. He could have quite easily moved guys who have paid hunners of pounds for years for a quick £23.00. But he hasn’t. He hasn’t reduced himself to the age-old Celtic-bashing trick of fleecing their fans for a quick buck like some low life chairmen would have done. Remember Motherwell?

The point is Celtic get 8000 tickets for Rugby Park already. The largest, I think, away allocation we get in the SPL. Anytime we play there you can buy a ticket over the counter at the ticket office and there are always empty spaces in the away end. In fact as a support we really treat Rugby Park wie disdain. So really oor allocation for the game is large enough to accommodate all who go regular to away games, some who attend when they can and others who should be as embarrassed as the England cricket team by attending the game cause we can win the league.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary-Tuesday

2007-04-17T08:27:00.000+01:00

There must be something up, when in the middle of a contested semi final, which you haven’t got in the bag yet, yer thinking aboot no going to the replay due to the fair being served up in front of you. We could win the league this week and again the fact that I’m ticketless is not bothering me one bit.

I’ll get the lads round, a few cans and watch it on the telly. Been to Rugby Park before when the title was won, the game was terrible and we limped to 1-0 victory while hanging on for dear life. Somehow I canny see Sunday being any different but at the moment I can picture another disappointment on the horizon.

The faw oot from the Kennygate incident continues wie numerous players and ex foes sticking their collective oar in to back oor esteemed or lame duck leader. Lenny, Mick, Naylor, Caldwell and Big Feck have all stuck their neeb in and gave their tuppance worth.

While I fully expect the players to back their manager, especially the ones that have as the manager has shown all loyalty and gave some the chance in the big time. Some should really pit their heids back below the parapet and ride oot the storm. Some views are as welcome as a Royal Navy interview in the Harry Hun.

Lenny has been identified, as the crux of all oor woes and him again coming oot and having a go at the support will only hasten calls for his departure. On the field he is rapidly losing the plot as the constant bickering wie team-mates on Saturday proved. When something went wrong he would berate the perceived offender, the perceived offender would answer him back pointing oot his failings wie gusto.

Gary Caldwell should really not have spoke to the press backing up GS. He is being hung oot to dry by the manager who won’t admit he has signed a haddy in the lesser-spotted Doumbe. The managers’ actions speak louder than words in that fact. Caldwell’s recent performance was worse than Adam Virgo’s last season at right back in the CIS semi final. Again he should have kept his mouth shut and not abused the hands that feed him.

But we are fickle and we are maybe overreacting to the current situation. I would have expected in a situation the players find themselves in that the fans backing would be crucial. Having had 1st hand experience of the nastiness seeping through the support one bad pass from any of the beraters will be met on Sunday with buckfast fuelled rath. These players now have blown any chance of sympathy or a second chance.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary Monday

2007-04-16T09:36:00.000+01:00

At noon on Saturday we were stuck on the M80 just at Denny. Had moved 2 miles in an hour and serious consideration was being given to turning back at the 1st opportunity. The growls on the bus were made worse by a wee look across the carriage way and the “tarmen” bedecked in orange and blue were as busy enjoying the sun rather than working.

Half time was the rosiest time of arrival at the point of getting to the soothside, as the thought of going over Prospecthill Road and through Rutherglen did not fill us wie hope and joy. But oor bus driver in his rather fetching racing red shirt and porno tash done a grand joab and we were parked up on the ash park just as the teams ran oot.

After 90 mins I really wished he hudnae bothered.

Oor walk to Hampden was untempered by the lack of crowds. In fact the old stadium looks quite impressive in the sun an illusion that soon disappears on entry. Will only take tickets for the main stand and the North Stand, if I have the choice, as the view from behind the goals is terrible. Those attending the UEFA cup final while being impressed by the look of the stadium will be disappointed by the view from their seats.

Still row LL was found and I was seated and comfy by the time big JVOH sold their goalie a dozzie right level wie me and was brought doon for a stonewall penalty. Canny believe the ho-ha that has been created over it. It was a stone waller and the inept ref, again, had no option bar to give it. Us on easy street? Nae chance.

We let them back into the proceedings and their merry band of colourful fans decided to gie us their full repartee of 1st division provisional club songs. We decided to gie them a goal to celebrate in return. The mood changed in the hoops support and the in fighting, bitching and abuse started. Looking over at the merry band of Saintees I wished we were more like them, not spoiled by success but more importantly proud of their teams efforts and enjoying their day in the sun.

As Celtic struggling to get to gripes wie the basics of fitbaw, ye pass and move, ye use space and stretch inferior opponents the fans decided it was a guid time to turn on each other. I was in the middle and behind me was a happy clapper see no evil brigade and in front this is shite brigade. The verbal sparring was entertaining but left a bad taste in ma mouth.

Whoever shouted loudest won the arguments and decent points by both sides were missed. In the end the sparring got personnel as usually happens in these things. What put the tin lid on it was that sub. As the boos reached a crescendo then continued when Miller came on I thought one of the happy clapper brigade was going take a coronary. How he could defend a substitution, which reeked of a manager trying to prove a point, of a manager being stubborn and a decision that weakened the team is beyond me.

Again the saintees sang and danced they smelled an equaliser and I was trying to work oot how to sell another £40 quid fork oot to ma wife for the replay. Started thinking that I could pit up wie Ian McCall for 90 mins sitting on ma couch. But at the end of the day I will be looking oot ma cup final shorts and shirts while the saintees will be attending a gala or a tractor show.

It was their day at the final whistle their players went over to them. All had stayed. The Celtic end had emptied and the players who bovvered to applaud us that stayed were few and far between. Those it did applaud us were meet wie in difference and no reaction. Maybe those that disappeared up the tunnel got it right. Maybe they were embarrassed. But does the modern day player get embarrassed picking up obscene amounts of money and producing the form they have in recent weeks?

Probably not.

While the saints fans will remember their day, when in typical Scottish fashion they celebrated a gallant defeat we done the typical Celtic thing and moaned aboot a victory. Another semi final that won’t be remembered fondly.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary Friday

2007-04-13T08:47:00.000+01:00

Oweny Coyle, the famous fighting skinny Scotsman who played for Ireland and never played for the hoops, made me feel auld the other day. When asked in this up for the cup week his memories of Celtic in their favourite competition, instead of naming the 69-cup final or the centenary cup final he conjured up a moment when he was a terror of Dundee.

They’re a goal up wie a minute left at CP in the rain. Then bang, bang, Van Hoojdonk and Thom, 2-1 the hoops and United oot the cup. I remember that day fondly. The temporary stand in the half built arena that was CP was in a state close to collapse when the atomic bomb Thom scored. What made me feel sad was the fact that it was 11 YEARS AGO.

When I pulled on the bumblebee top for the five sides last night the joy that I still fitted into it was tempered by the fact it’s 11 years old and I’m still wearing it. At least it’s not as bad as the peoples away top I wore last week, you know the one? The one that looks like someone spewed over the shoulder. Really must start updating ma five a side gear. In fact maybe I could sell ma retro collection on E-Bay?

Anyway being reminded it was 11 years ago put ma Renton Stlyee rant last Saturday after the game into perspective and also put it right back into it’s box. I was asked if I would rather have Tommy Burns back in charge and I replied fuelled by tennents “yes”.

But it seems like yesterday we had the 3 amigos not 11 years ago. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then and fitbaw has changed since that fateful night at ipox when Di Canio throw his rattle oot the pram and Burns succumbed to the Bairns in a Scottish Cup Semi. A fact that made me quest for a Celtic fitbawing utopia performance this weekend as possibly sheer folly. We can lose to lower league clubs in cup-ties as we have found to oor cost over the last few seasons.

Thing is in the majority of defeats to lower league sides I don’t think there has been anyone time where we huvnae deserved to go oot. Digger Barnes 4-2-2-2 systems was undone against ICT, MON leg weary team struggled to compete and create wie Jamie Smith and Davie Fernandez in the highlands, Dui Wei and Keane also failed to swim the Clyde. That night at ipox Tommy Burn’s fitbaw utopia collapsed all around him as his majestic creative mavericks chucked in the towel. Even when we have won against lower league opposition in the cups it has been humdrum affairs. Remember a particular drab Saturday night affair against Ayr Utd a few years ago.

The folly of the early start for the Tv dirty cash means the atmosphere will be terrible in the bowl of Hampden. Some will be hungover, others sober when usually well oiled and others just narked at the early kick off and the narkie enducing performances of late. It upsets ma routine anyway.

Strange kick off times, games not played on the same day and dwindling attendances mean that maybe the Scottish Cup disnny hold the sway it once did. For us older ones it will always have a special place in oor hearts as Celtic legends have been born in cup finals in the sun. for us that turn up tomorrow we will hope for a classic Celtic cup performance.

It’s in oor history.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary Thursday

2007-04-12T08:54:00.000+01:00

Must have been like the trenches in the 1st world war for the hoops players and management over the last few weeks. A constant bombardment of abuse from meeja, fans, keyboard hardmen and phone in love jockeys. The staff at CP must feel shell shocked and wondering when it will be safe to make their advance across the green fields of France for the final assault.

Unlike the 1st world war oor two general have popped their heids into the line of fire to take umbridge wie the bullets being fired and also to snipe back at questions being asked of their leadership. It was a two-pronged ginger attack as Lenny and GS came oot fighting.

The Evening times was GS vehicle of choice as he defended the tactics of his midfield formation against Dundee Hibs and the Well. Said he thinks when we play against a 5-man midfield we leave to many gaps that world-class players like Barry Robson can exploit. It’s Barry Robson and how many world class players have Motherwell got? Should an extra man make any difference? Is Gs showing a little lack of faith in the ability of his troops and mair worryingly his own signings.

He also defended his decision to drop Tommy G from the team adding that the boo bhoys were shouting for him to be dropped when he was running around like a 3 year old on blue smarties and tizer.

It disnny look guid for the gravedigger. Feel him and his bulging packet will be off doon the promised premiership no mans land after a frustrating season in the hoops. Not following instructions seems to be the just of GS’s beef wie the baldy Dane. Maybe we should try a 5-man midfield wie the gravedigger as the most advanced before making rash decisions. The gravedigger is a creator, a conductor of the creative in the middle of the park. A free role could be the answer for the problem that is Tommy G.

If he fails to shine there then I’ll drive him to Sunderland.

Lenny came oot defending his bottle throwing incident wie the tube in the main stand. Lenny quoted stats unbeaten at home in 18 months, unbeaten in 28 league games and he berates the fans for expecting champagne fitbaw every week wie an inexperienced side. He also stated he won’t be the auld fart hanging around waving the bhoys of on adventures while he picks up his wages. Slight go at Boyd and Lambert maybe?

Thing is if he gets offered another deal then that’s exactly the type of situation he will find himself in. The CIS cup playing veteran showing the young un’s and fringe bodies his medals while going on aboot the guid auld days when St Martin was his general and he widnae force the bhoys over the top and paid them handsomely.

Whether you agree or disagree wie what has been said both have shown character by speaking oot. I have been their biggest critic over the last few weeks but the baws and honesty both have shown in a measured and an articulate way has impressed me. Shown a bit of character…must be a ginger thing.

Forza The Hoops

The Lotw Diary- Wednesday Wailings

2007-04-11T08:49:00.000+01:00

Now that us mere mortals are no longer invited to the arena of the Champions League the lure of the games has waned. Last week if it wisnny for the polis, quite rightly, geing the Man who fans a doing when they strayed into no-mans land, look if yer in that area then yer “game” for a baton across the heid, then the games last week would have passed of withoot any stirring.

But after ma self imposed exile last nights game at the Trafford ball park made me have faith in the set of the most corrupt competition in Europe. It was that guid i thought I had snorted a line of Keith Richards dad. It also served as a reminder to the hoops how far we have to go both on and off the park.

Peter Lawell has stated that it is his aim to make Celtic the biggest club in Ireland. Last seasons signing of an aging Roy Keane was the 1st step in raising oor profile, still don’t think now it was for fitbaw reasons, and I fully expect we will sign another big Irish star soon.

This will be futile cause if Man who keep on putting on performances like that then we have no chance of over taking them as the number one team in Ireland. Saying that right enough because of Sky’s coverage of the premiership we have no chance of even over taking Arsenal or Liverpool.

Man who last night gave a performance that set pulses racing. They have been doing it for years in Europe and also they entertain in the EPL. Sky’s packaging of their product means that even the most boring games are deemed as entertainment. Kids from Kerry to Derry will this morning be Giggs, Smith, Rooney and Ronaldo.

If the hoops want to lose the tag of every Irishman’s favourite second team then they have to entertain. We have to be entertaining on the biggest stage of all where the packing and profile is best. We have done it this year. The Nakaing of Man Utd would have done more for oor profile than the signing of Keane and oor gallant performance against Milan will have made youngsters take notice. Still canny see many Seamus Nakamura’s kicking around yet though.

While setanta coverage is improving, lot of money being spent on it and improving it’s profile, it’s place where Handels priest heralds the teams that we have to perform to turn young heids. Beating Man U and such every now and then isny guid enough. We have to be doing it regular. We have to prove this season isny a one off and ensure we are back in the mix next year.

We can’t have another Bratislava cause if we do then we can get hit wie the small team jibs from meeja and those wie the passing interest we are trying to snare. We are trying to snare consumers and they are a fickle beast whom only want success.

Thing is do the board think we have the plan and the man in place to snare these consumers?

Forza The Hoops

The LOTW Diary- Tuesday Musings

2007-04-10T13:11:00.000+01:00

After the weekends shambolic display, I decided to spend the bank holiday weekend away from fitbaw all together. So I watched r*ngers. Oh dear. If I wanted cheered up that done the trick. There is always someone worse of than yerself and the fare on show in Paisley was poor.

I’m really scunnered wie the hoops at the moment. So I decided that I would created a wee howf for maeself in the hut, a wee radio to listen to talksport- though in ma self imposed ban on all things fitbaw XFM was ma listening choice-, a cool box for some tennents and enough space for a deck chair. I even hovered the thing and have decided to gie it a wee lick of paint and do ma garden up when the season finished. Nae world cup to divert ma attention ye see, need to get ma time well spent.

Hopefully GS and the players done the same thing. A change is as guid as a rest and a few days withoot thinking aboot pressure, tired legs etc may have done the bhoys guid. Then again pressure is part of the joab and the excuse that the players are inexperienced at facing it disnny wash.

From the team on Saturday, Lenny, Arfur- who is looking, ahem, oot of shape, Magic, McGeady, and Naka all won the league last year wie the hoops. JVOH won a few titles wie the faltering PSV- and we thought we were in trouble- Lee Naylor won promotion in a high pressure play off final and Elvis, Caldwell, Riordan and Hartley can hardly be classed as wet behind the ears.

All 11 or 12 used had experience of high-pressure situations. O’Dea, who I never mentioned, has won titles wie the reserves and has handled the high-octane noise of the Milan tifosi. He has also looked oor most assured defender in recent weeks, which playing alongside a seasoned pro is no mean feat. Mind you the season pro is looking as shaky as an Iranian press conference.

Lack of character has been mentioned wie GS casting up Petrov and Hartson and also GS casting up the fact that he hadn’t planned to be withoot these players or Maloney at this stage of the season. GS is casting his own rod here by admitting in ma book that he husnae replaced these players and Maloney apart he has had 2 transfer windaes to do it.

Character is a buzzword for the wee man. He said JVOH had a presence on and off the park. I’m sure the big fellow has wowed the physios and club doctors then when his unmistakeable Dutch wit. Tommy G was another character that now spends his days entertaining the crowd behind the goals like some warm up act for a Blackpool miners welfare.

The main reason, for me, that Lenny still plays is because he is a character though that has been waning in recent weeks. He is looking most exasperated wie those around him. Like us he just wants this the longest title run in history- almost as long as the fight in the Quiet Man- to finish. Like us all I bet he is hoping that winning the league and hopefully a cup final will lift the club and make his final days enjoyable.

So what members of the young team could be characters? Big Mick is one, a strong level heided intelligent young man who come across in the mould of ceaser. Gary Caldwell again seems to be a meeja magnet when asking for a quote or an interview and surely the rumours of Deeks off field behaviour mean that he must be a character. Bundle of energy Naka eh? Mind you Deeks one man crusade against bigotry has to be applauded. If that had happened 20 years ago son yer starting place widnae be in doubt from one week to the next.

But I thought the wise ginger one once said that players win games not tactics. Does this mean he has changed his view and it is now characters that win games not players?

Surely it helps if yer characters are actually playing though?

Forza The Hoops

The LOTW Diary Hoops 1 Well 0

2007-04-08T13:29:00.000+01:00

Like Renton in Trainspotting i vented ma spleen, fuelled by Tennents, yesterday on the way home on the bus. Just as, when ask to survey the countryside Rents went into a rant aboot oor country being the lowest of the low the scummist of the scum, i went of on one regarding the state of play at CP.

I berated GS for his failure to deliver the promised vision, the fact that oor last performance was Benfica and that the team lacks quality. I ended wie the line

"It won't improve until wee ginge has left"

Too which a wag replied which one?. Both i replied.

It's a fair statement and one which i have to blame the London Road Tav for as they fed me beer. But it's one i'm going to stand by as anyone who attended CP yesterday or saw the game will agree it was even worse than last week. That bad i expected wee Luigi to be on the touchline telling Brian O'Neill that he was a centre forward.

Turgid sh*te was how i describe it at half time. Nae shots, nae creativity, nae pace and at half time i thought nae hope. The atmosphere was one on a knife edge and if Motherwell had scored it would have turned nasty and i would have expected car park protests and mars bar throwing.

It was that bad, Faither G, again, taking advantage or a freebie as the guy would rather play golf than watch his team, left 10 mins before the end to partake in his filthy nicotine habit. "Knew i widnae miss anything" was his excuse. "How have you pit up wie that aw season?" he asked and one i couldnae really answer except for "Blind Faith"

Got me thinking, CP has not been full very often this season. You would expect a Championship winning team to have us singing from the roof tops. No not GS's team 2. A lack of tempo is the main downfall. It starts from the 1st whistle and allows teams to get comfy wie their surroundings. They don't fear CP anymair. Teams as poor as the well can go aboot their business easily.

The lack of tempo steams even to the baw balls. Have we the lazist baw balls in the league? They sit on their wee ikea plastic seats and watch the baw run oot of play and into the camera pit. It takes them an age to get it back and when they do they half hearted roll it to the player? Every heard of multi baw?

If it's oor by kick, then Arfur takes an age as well. He then hoofs it naebody when a short baw to one of the CB's or full backs is an option. He must get told to hoof it long.

Yesterday, as Ian pointed oot last week, Hartley sits behind Lenny. Both sit that deep that we almost play wie a back 6. They sit deep and oor CB sit deeper thus allowing teams to come on top of us. If Hartley continues this form then we have been sold a dud. Same as Elvis. How many times did he commit the same foul? The folly of signing players who shine in medicore SPL teams is there for all to see again.

If GS see's Hartley as a deep lying midfielder, then so be it. But he has to play an attack minded player alongside him not Neil Lenny. As i have said both sit so deep the gap between them and the wingers and forwards is as wide as the clyde.

Again they must be getting told to do this or Hartley would have been hooked for not following managers instructions. Arfur must get told to look for the long baw to JVOH, again i'm begining to question is he really any guid and i'm longing for BBJ again.

I said things won't improve until GS leaves, maybe i'm being a bit OTT. Performances can improve from players but i'm wondering really wondering if GS can improve his performances. I'm looking for out the box thinking from him when things are not going well. Yesterday after saying Riordan was not a centre forward he bows to the public view and plays him as a centre forward. Could you see a Jose or Ferguson doing that?

No me either. Hell i couldnae see PLG doing that.

Right, i will celebrate winning the league wie ma usual gusto. If we do the double i will thank the wee man. He has got the right to build a team 3 due to being successful but nagging doubts remain over his signings, tactics and ability to get us into the CL last 16 on a regular basis. I'm not calling for him to be sacked, no sir we are not Hearts. I just think maybe two years is enough and for us to make real progress maybe an out the box appointment is needed.

GS could win the league next year nae probs. He could win another double as he has proved he has got the ability to do that. So could Wally the cardie. He has proved in the past that he has the ability to win the Scottish League. But ask any r*ngers fan if wally could take them to the PSV level, which we are aiming for as well, they will say no.

Ask me if GS could take us to that level i would say no. I'm willing to say PLG could have took us and them to that level given time. Before MON we went for Hiddink. I still say if Hiddink would have came then we would have been in the last 16 of the CL long before this season. In fact we would be regulars.

I know it's all if's and buts but i think that would have happened.

I type this hoping deep doon that ma views are wrong. That while i will fully support GS as long as he is the manager he has brung us success this season using limited resources, but more than any other team in the spl, and maybe he got the best oot of average players who are now proving to be average players. Thats a great trick.

Thing is Celtic have always entertained and i'm wondering why the other Ginger in the dug oot husnae reminded him of that.

Forza the champions in waiting.

The LOTW Diary- What The Hell Do We Care?

2007-04-04T12:56:00.000+01:00

In this week where any blogger worth his salt would struggle to write new things aboot hoops that already husnae been said. Right we play the well, we need a victory, and we want changes coz the team have been playing ten palefull oh pesh and it’s getting us jittery.

We have discussed it here. We have discussed it there. We have discussed it every bloody where.

Two comments from two LOTW stalwarts got me thinking and after a week reading the rubbish being spouted on other blogs, sites and message boards the question needs answered.

Do we only care now if we win?

The famous song, sung wie gusto all over the land for years, in time of trouble and joy had the infamous line “We don’t care if we win, lose or draw” nowadays the post MON generation only seem to care aboot winning. Even some pre MON seem to have their heids turned by the winning being the be all and end all.

Maybe years of watching oor less illustrious neighbours winning all in-sundry and them basing their history and heritage of being the most successful fitbaw club in the world has meant some only want to catch them up.

For me this is forgetting what Celtic is aboot. Celtic has a heritage, ethos and style, which is unique in world fitbaw. Something that seems to have been missed.

Every so often this week I have seen posts that back ma view of why I have doubts aboot oor manager. Let me make this clear while I fully support oor manager and the players it seems the questioning of them gets meet wie the success card.

13 clear, last 16 of CL and semi final of Scottish Cup. The players and management have delivered so we are told. Any other debate and yer not a Celtic man. It has been mentioned that we as a support are greeting faced buggers.

True, how many websites churning oot views are there aboot the hoops. Every blog thinks it's opinion should be heard. I shamelessly admit this blog was created solely to see if anyone shared the views of me. Certain other sites didnae meet ma expectations and any views outwith the party line were not tolerated and the abuse was personal. I wanted an alternative so LOTW was born.

This is not the fault of the blog creators. The Celtic support has always been split, fractioned and at each other throats. Look at when we were trying to sack the board, look at the fact we have an affiliation and association of supporter clubs, look at how many fanzines we have. How many supporters club do you know that have formed through bickering and fighting out of others?

It’s because we care aboot oor club. Maybe the motives are different but we all just want what is best for the club. That’s oor goal.

The Internet has been guid for the Celtic support, we all canny get enough of it, but it also gives a false impression. The reason being, I’m typing this and most that read it won’t know me if I went past them in the street. We don’t know the majority of people we speak wie and some of these fans could charlatans on the wind up.

Only face-to-face can we get a true impression of how the support is feeling. Not from message boards or phone ins. Saturday, as the support was getting frustrated and tension was rising the overwhelming feeling was we wanted the baw on the deck and attacking fitbaw. We wanted a performance befitting the wearing o the hoops.

Something we huvnae been getting.

Yes, if us following the Celtic ethos means we lose games, drop points here and there so be it. That’s fitbaw the best teams sometimes don’t always win. If on Saturday the result had been the same but we had played well we widnae have got the reaction we have over the last few weeks.

Against r*ngers oor 1st half performance made defeat a bit easier to take as we knew that we had outplayed playing Celtic fitbaw. Fawkirk nae performance.

On Saturday we just want to see a performance of fitbaw we were promised by the management and also that is in keeping wie the Celtic way. If after 90 mins we come oot after a performance that meets those criteria then we won’t care if we have won, lost or drawn.

It’s up to the manager to have the baws to take that criteria and make sure it happens.

Forza the hoops

The LOTW Diary- Who The Feck Is Jerry Fox? United 1 Hoops 1

2007-04-02T10:11:00.000+01:00

Why did no one pick up on ma faux pas? Why did no one notice that Jerry Fox was meant to be Jerry Kerr? When we turned into Sandeman Street on Saturday ma fear that I had made a boob was realised. Amateur, fecking amateur. Bit like ma team. But if there is a Jerry Fox do you think he is a centre forward or a midfielder if so call GS at CP.

Saturday brought back memories of MON’s last season, black Sunday and worse of all Liam’s and Luigi’s teams. It was up there wie the 3-0 defeat to the Harry Rags at Hampden in TB’s first season and in that season we were so woeful it is the worst season I ever watched the hoops.

It was like watching two pub teams on Saturday. The baw was black and blue due to being booted as hard as it could up and doon the park. It was sore as every second touch was a tackle. A team that has had a fare few bob spent on it, in domestic terms, and the highest wage bill in Scotland surely should have a clue how to win and game and how to play fitbaw?

Lacked ideas, lacked guile, lacked pace. Lacked leadership and lack a big doze of baws. Get the baw doon and play no just lump it the way yer facing. Panic on the streets of London once sang the Moz. Panic on the park at Tanideechie every time a hoop player got the ball. Hoof it went as far away from the player as possible.

GS said he was satisfied wie the effort. Correct I was thinking before the equaliser, which the wee feck celebrated right in front of me in the howf that is the fair play stand, that it was perspiration over inspiration. Off the park the manager lacked ideas and baws to change it.

Is he happy that Tommy G is doing his comedy act in front of the hoops support instead of on the park trying to wrestle back midfield dominance from Fawkirk and ICT rejects? Is he happy that a team lacking so much in the creativity stakes can afford to leave a creative player on the bench? Is he happy that oor midfield is so far oaf the pace that we never win the second baw EVER?

5 minutes into the second half JJPD was sent to get warmed up. From ma seat in the fair play stand, Caldwell was struggling in front of me. He was blowing oot his arse, which is no surprise after 4 months oot. As JJPD was sent roond in front of the support to do his thing the fear in his face was clear to see. Is this the reason he didnae come on?

Deek and Cillian also done a warm up but wie 10 minutes left they stopped. They knew GS widnae turn to them to try and threaten a United back line being marshalled by Lee bloody Wilkie and being made to look guid by oor attackers. The bottom-line is on and of the park it was disgraceful. Long-term questions are no being posed and there are no many answers.

Have we sunk that low that we now struggle to over come honest graft? Have oor ambitions that much that players that shine in fellow SPL teams are what we are striving for? After initial impressions guys like Elvis, Caldwell, Wilson- recently- and even Hartley are not guid enough. They won’t take the team forward. If McDonald is an indicator of the future then days like Saturday will become ten a penny.

We have been sold a doozie. Team 2 has regressed by team 1. The fitter, faster, stronger team promised by the management team has failed to materialise. In court they would be sent down for perjury. Rumours of a move to Eastland’s or the northeast would be most welcomed if true if a lot of the murmurings heard on Saturday are reflective.

Oor support was not a nice place to be on Saturday. Frustrations are starting to boil over. The supporters are bickering and on Saturday violence was nearly upon us. Fans are not listening to shouts; they automatically think players are being berated. They bhoy in the same row as me was shouting at Aiden to stay wide give the game a bit of width.

There was no yer shite McGeady or anything. Two rows behind a group of bevvied up young un’s to umbridge at this perceived abuse and abused the so-called abuser. When the so called abuser tried to argue his point backed up I may add by the majority round aboot the young un’s torrent of abuse to all was well oot of order.

Guys you were shouting aboot supporting yer team, not being a Celtic fan etc but yer behaviour and subsequent behaviour afterwards, constantly singing of Aidens name to wind up the so-called abuser was un-Celtic like. But that’s a product of what is happening on the park.

We have developed a siege mentality to certain players. Some players are martyrs whom can’t be questioned. I understand Aiden gets abuse and he does need encourages, he was oor only creative output on Saturday, but give it guys who are abusing players not pointing oot the fact the GS tactics stop us getting any width whatsoever.

We are frustrated. Black Sunday is still too fresh. Bottom-line is this blip has been coming as players and management failings mean we were getting away wie it for months. At least the r*ngers are sh*te though, eh?

Forza the frustrating Hoops.

The Lotw Diary- Friday..Jerry Fox Ma Knees Are Ready…

2007-03-30T12:44:00.000+01:00

So Scotland couldnae dae what the hoops done in Milan and hold a tallie side for 90 mins. The game plan went oot the windae when a flick of Italian groomed heid and slack defending- zonal defending it’s evil I tell ye- caused Scotland to lose in Bari. No surprise, as really the performance was as guid as we could have expected when guys like Teale, McCulloch, Naysmith and Alexander get a game.

Talking this morning wie an Orc who was advocating a call up for Hutton, I know sad and deluded the guy has slept wie a full back and is a thug, but when reviewing the carthorses on the park is it any surprise Scotland couldnae dae what the hoops done?

Telfer and Naylor are better than Naysmith and Alexander. I mean how many times did they get caught oot? While Telfer may not be the best he knows his limitations, which is something Alexander disnny seem to. Naysmith is a bombscare that couldnae lace Naylor’s boots and if Wallie the cardie wants him guid luck.

Lee McCulloch is a buffoon. A large arsed coo who if he didnae declare his allegiance to the orc we would have knew anyway he was one. Apart from coming from Lanarkshire, his looks and thuggish non-existent playing style of elbows barging and fouling mixed wie a lack of fitbaw ability gives the game away. Another Wallie signing target as he ticks all the boxes for a prospective h*n leg-end.

So how did the hoops fair? Big Mick apart from being lost in the wrong zone at the goal, he was like a pensioner wie the wrong bus ticket trying to get on a Edinburg bus wie a Stirling ticket, and found to his cost that ye canny hoof Tallie playboys as they always get free kicks was Scotlands most impressive CB.

Biased opinion? Naw, ma orc mate agreed wie me after 6 pint of Carling. Mick done what Mick does, blocks, tackles and clears. Nothing fancy, nothing dandy just Mick. Nice to see Hugh McDonald in today’s Herald comparing him to Italian defenders saying they would have been impressed wie his display. Whisper this but….once he puts a tin lid on the rash and heavy tackles we may have a decent home-grown centre half.

In the middle Paul Hartley, again, gave the impression of a man in regression. Last night was thing Hibs Paul Hartley not the Paul Hartley we paid over a million for him, which is worrying. To put it bluntly Hartley has been a disappointment since he signed. Oor Zico needs to get his finger oot; Tanideechie on Saturday will do for starters.

Up front, Kenny was so blunt I have seen sharper butchers pencils. Materazzi and Cannavaro could have been listening to the finest Italian opera on the their Ipods, sitting by the lake at Como and KM still wouldnae have looked dangerous. But whoever thought KM is a lone front man who can hold up the ball and bring the midfield into play shouldnae really be a fitbaw manager.

Against the Tallies most looked like they shoulnae have been on the same park as them. I have to include Zico, Beats and KM in that assessment. We never looked like troubling them, I’m wondering if Materazzi will come home wie KM as KM must be stuck in his pocket, so looking at it through green tinted specs are those players guid enough to play at what is regarded the higher level that is Champs League?

So ma see you Jimmy hat are disregarded and the worry begins….

On to Saturday and the pampers are ready. The title precession, canter, walk over non-contest has become something of a contest. With the chance to win it before the split being blown by two second half performances that calling woeful do woeful a discredit. Also wie the split fixtures being unkind any slip-ups will be meet wie fear.

You see it’s all Scott McDonald’s fault. The wee bush kangaroo has ensured things will never be the same again. Strange thing is oor new Hoop being signed this week has brought back memories of that day just at the start of a period I don’t want to be reminded of that day.

The fallout from Black Sunday is we all will panic if in ANY game from now until the title is decided we go behind. The anxiety and bile from the stands, especially at home, will be almost unbearable. In fact I would be surprised if we see a decent performance from the hoops from now until the champers is popped. But that’s not right.

Professional players should thrive on pressure. They get paid enough and it has been wie them from an early age in the professional game. They should also want to be winners and have medals to show their grandkids.

Oor players should have got a wee kick up the arse in the last few weeks a wee reminder that the league is not won and that going thru the motions is not allowed. Something the management should have stopped happening but then again maybe they have been slack as well. Team selections, tactics and subs have all been questioned recently.

The last couple of weeks has rejuvenated ma season. Maybe it sounds as perverse as an Irvine Welsh drama I’m looking forward to a tension filled Saturday afternoon in the Dee. Ticket in hand, well not in hand yet, but I’m sure it’s for that death trap of the Jerry Fox stand. Ma kness still huvnae recovered from being in there last year. It was designed for waive like supermodels not 30-something podgy, balding reeking of cheap aftershave and stale drink bhoys that frequent the hoopy hardcore.

Make no mistake we need a result. Will be checking the website all afternoon, productivity dips ma boss says on a Friday, eh what’s that aboot? for news on the scunnering JVOH and on the returning internationals.

With the breaking news that JVOH is not as soft as a toley and could make it, debate will rage regarding his striking partner. Magic gets ma vote as beats and Miller have both had shots and blew it. Remember though Jarosik played up-front alongside JVOH the last time we visited the Dee.

Sno being injured and the forecast so bleak that the remainder of the season could be lous’d for the big fellow means everyone’s favourite topic of debate the Lurgan one gets a reprieve. Not that GS would have dropped a fellow ginger anyway.

We also need a result as the orcs are starting to believe. Lost count of how many times I have been asked how many points we have to go or heard them whispering aboot us dropping points here, them winning at ipox etc. we need to put that to bed.

Dust doon the battle scarf’s there is a league to be fought for.

FORZA THE HOOPS

The Lotw Diary...Tuesday....Stirring of the nationalistic loins.

2007-03-27T13:11:00.000+01:00

Now, us that are not interested in international fitbaw have slightly become interested in international fitbaw. Nuthin to do wie the fact that Scotland now are 1) winning games or 2) contain a few hoops. Och, I’m lying it has everything to do wie that. You see we are all fickle, team pants? No interested, team-getting results? Then we can put aside the fact that they are managed by a ginger heided lucky hogbeast who only got the joab because no one else was interested and bask in the glory of victory.

And the fact that oor main neigboors are going through a bad spell but then that’s jingoistic and petty. But great fun if you listen to an English based talk radio station.

We also had a vested interest at the weekend in Mount Florida. Would Kenny Miller really be as bad for Scotland as he has been for us recently, would Paul Hartley thrive alongside Bazza and give the Scots a million buck player performance and would the Beats get on the park and stay on his feet long enough to do anything of note?

So after a few biers on Friday night, I drunkenly invited some mates roond to watch the Scotland game in ma hoose. See bier was the real reason not the fact I was interested. So 12.30 came and they arrived wie cans of Scotland’s finest Miller who always hit the spot unlike oor Kenny.

Anyway, the game started and the usual banter in mixed company started. Well, I say mixed, 6 Tims and one orc. Davy Weir was termed the old git, Bazza termed the fud, Hartley, Zico Boyd,, eh Boydchenko and Kenny Miller was termed that useless wee fecker. The rest well, to tell you the truth who the hell are the rest? Teale, Alexander and Naysmith are hardly renowned for their eye-catching performances on match of the day.

The Georgians well apart from Mr Bean were unknown. They were a load of ladzes, unknown to us. After the 1st twenty minutes they proved they were a decent side. The wee podgy, slightly receding winger who ripped the scots apart looked like he should be running a kebab shop rather than running the wing.

But again us are ignorant to other nations who are not top drawer. Bar the top 20 sides in the world the meeja and fans go into hyperbole and think we should be beating them. They don’t take into the fact that the majority of sides in world will have better technical ability than us.

This was proved as the Georgians tried to pass their way through while Scotland went direct more often than not by passing the midfield and thus causing oor Zico to charge aboot like a heidless chicken chasing lost causes and closing doon the second ball after Kenny had lost it.

All the hoop players involved reverted to type. Big Mick after a shaky performance came onto to his usual uncompromising game. He will never be a Maldini or a Rio but he disnny try to be. If Elvis replaces him in Bari then Big Feck better hope he gets lucky again. After Mick's performance in Milan and Saturday then he should be a defo starter.

Hartley see above, charged aboot to no effect and makes you wonder if it’s going to be next season before you see the best from him. But then again has his performance really dropped or is the fact that when you see him alongside better players he disnny stand oot like a Scotsman in the Hearts line up?

Up front oor Kenny again was woeful. Full of running but lacks the end product to ever make it as a top-drawer player. It says a lot that the most natural striker have got will be dropped from a tall building for a guy whom a coo’s arse wie a banjo springs to mind just because he runs aboot. Mind you oor most natural finisher was dropped for sseeebboooo…

The beats came on, fell doon wie his first touch and his running style is looking increasingly daft. Like an injured antelope is being chased by a lion, unsteady on his feet and looks like popping his clogs at anytime. He scored wie a run doon the shinny mis-hit after Kenny had caused panic in the Georgian defence by flicking on a cross.

These two jokers last week, didnae look like they could trouble sleep and when eck paired them up front I thought his reputation as, a no very guid coach was justified. But hey ho a last minute mis-hit and the lucky hog beast again faws in the river forth and comes oot wie a salmon.

Funny to hear the meeja’s take on the last minute goal. When we score last minute winners we are lucky when it happens to eck it’s cause of his subs and the will of his team not to gie up. Now the token orc, in ma hoose, stated at the time of the subs that he wanted as many hoops on the park in the final 10 minutes as they would never give up. Always likely to score. Strange that eh?

I found maself in a strange position after the match. Yes, I was counting how many points Scotland should get in the remaining games. We all were arguing over whether 10, 11 or 12. I say 10 as I think the Georgians will beat us on their patch they deserved a draw on Saturday make no mistake. So how come this change of being interested in International fitbaw has happened?

Simple, we are winning and it is involving guys who play for oor-supported teams. Right, Bazza will always be a fud, Weir an old git and Boydchenko, boydchenko but I want Zico, Mick, Miller and Beats to do well. It was also nice wee Shaun coming on looking like his big fat wage packet was weighing his arse doon.

It was guid that Beats scored and Miller gave according to the press a guid performance as that makes them easier to shift as in the lineage of Celtic strikers they don’t make the grade at CP. Maybe that sums up the national team.

Anyway we are all going to the pub tomorrow to watch the game, as we enjoyed Saturday. So will you being seeing me do in a deer and wearing a see you jimmy hat? Nah chance, the introduction of more hoop players to the squad has got me mildly interested in Scotland. It’s not life of death.

That comes at Tanideechie at 12.30 on Saturday.

FORZA Scotl…..the Hoops but guid luck the Scottish Tims!

The LOTW Diary- Thursday

2007-03-22T14:06:00.000+01:00

Arsene Fawkirk

The faw oot from the whipping at Westfield continues wie the main bone of contention being the sending off and Lenny’s petulant spat wie the fawkirk fans. Now while geing them the bird is ok in ma book it’s not ok in the SFA offices or by some wee nae mark fan that will have complained aboot the gesture.

This twice in two defeats, do you think there is a link there? Lenny has reacted to fans berating him. This is not an uncommon action by him but one again that leaves a bad taste in collective mouths. Why can’t he just not accept defeat wie the grace and dignity of a Celtic captain? Why does he always have to act like a scorned bully who has become the bullied?

Anyway, Fawkirk seem to have become angels and their players and fans seem to have a case of Arsene Wenger syndrome. Hear no evil, see evil.

Fawkirk have had 3 players sent of this season. Two as far as I know for violent conduct. Darren Barr’s against Hearts was rescinded but in the eyes of the law he lifted his hands so it was a red card. The Hearts boy over-reacted in that case and big Yogi went mad aboot it. Said that they had been cheated and it was a disgrace.

So what did he say aboot Sunday?

"Carl is not that type of boy and I thought it was just handbags stuff,"

So Mr Finnigan didnae cheat and isnny a disgrace to the game. He didnae go doon like a wannabe Loverkrands. It’s just not in his nature, just like it wisnae in Darren Barr’s nature to lift his hands against Hearts or in Darren’s Barr nature to act like a licensed thug for the whole of Sundays’ game man handling the beats at every opportunity.

And of course, any team wie Patrick Cregg and the boy O’Donnell in the midfield are holy virgins and widnae dream of leaving the boot in or throwing doon markers to the opposition I mean, there manager was an angel on the field of play and was against tackling and roughing up opponents wasn’t he?

One rule for one and one for another. Fawkirks reaction post match has made them join the list of teams I want relegated. They shouldn’t have had got promoted wie that shite hole of a ground.

King O’ Kings

Wasn’t it great to hear the Henke interview on Radio hootsmon the other night? For a guy blessed wie so much he is a humble sort. He was the greatest Celt I have ever seen, partly due to the fact that I never saw Jinky, and gave me so much joy. By the sounds of the interview he enjoyed us as well.

With all the talk of Boydchenko probably beating his league scoring record, he is on the way to doing it already, we all know the Scottish meeja will draw comparisons but that’s like comparing a racehorse to a Blackpool donkey. Henke was so much more than a goalscorer, he was talismanic a leader of men who drew inspiration from him to reach greater heights.

A fact not missed by those who know aboot fitbaw. Left Celtic after his peak years went on to a bigger club won the biggest prize available in European club fitbaw. He then retired from top-flight fitbaw only to come oot and play for the “biggest club in the world” for a few months, jist for a laugh and jist because he could.

Where will Boydchenko go when he finishes? Clyde, Motherwell, Preston, Derby or the Louden Bar welfare 11? He won’t be anywhere near Catalonia or Trafford Baw Park.

What made Henke different I think was summed up in two finals. Firstly Seville. On that hot night he dragged a team back into the game wie two pieces of brilliance. The way he hung in the air for those goals was special. When we were all thinking it was a step to far he gave us hope, he made us believe on and of the park that we deserved to be contesting that final.

Interesting to hear that he has never watched that final. Heard a few of the Seville team say that. I haven’t either. Got the DVD but it always gets switched off before the final. Still never seen the goals apart from real time in the stadium.

Will get round to it one day.

His second pinnacle moment came unfortunately not wie us. Last years European Cup final will be remembered as the Henke cup final as he came on and changed the game. In a team containing Eto, Ronaldinho and Xaxi that is no mean feat.

Don’t think I have ever been as pleased for an ex hoop as I was that night. Right, he got us straight into the CL wie the two assists but more in that I thought he deserved it. He deserved to have a CL winners. He deserved to have Ronaldinho begging him to stay- look on you tube and type in Larsson last game for Barcelona, did have a link but canny find it- and he also deserved to have the smelly Mancs wanting him to stay as well.

He said in the interview that he was stubborn and loved people telling him that he couldnae do something. Well after oor strikers performance recently I don’t think Henke could come back to his home and regain his form and score as many goals as before:-) are you reading Henke?

Who is The Best From 85?

Last night, Celtic Tv had a nostalgia night. It started of with “In praise of Cesar” a look back at the centenary season wie the old Scotsport lackey Ian Archer. Then the 1969-cup final was shown in glorious Technicolor.

Now, I have seen this cup final a few times but I have never seen the attempted pitch invasion from der hun after the fourth goal. Why is this never been included before? I mean I know crowd disturbances from them are the norm but this blatant attempt to get the game abandoned should be included in all future mentions of that game.

Then there was an interview wie Dixie Deans. Now I think Dixie was the John Hartson of his day, overweight and under valued. Last night the footage of his playing career gave weight to the notion that the hoops add pounds to you but, mind you, the fact there was a belly hanging oot below those hoops….

Anyway, it got me thinking. Since this is international week and most are not interested in big eck’s wonders then a wee poll to keep us interested. I’ve done cult heroes in the hoops so I’m going to do the greatest hoops 11 since love street 1985.

I have chosen Love Street 85 as ma start date as I was nine and only really remember players from that date vividly. See seven and me are young pups, I think, compared to the rest pf you:-)

So here is ma 11.

Arfur, McGrain, Elliot, Aitken, Shuggie, Naka, Petrov, McStay, Thommo, Larsson and Sutty.

Let the games commence.

Forza the hoops who will have ma support at Tanideechie as after Baldy reminding me aboot big Sieb I decided that I like Dundee and got a ticket.

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 0 Fawkirk 1

2007-03-19T11:16:00.000+01:00

Blur V Oasis…It’s 1994 Again.

So GS team 2 has matched the feat of the legendary Luigi era at CP when his team of charlatans, journeymen and the not very guid went 3 matches withoot a win or a bloody goal. Fact is Kenny Miller would fit perfectly into that side, as would GS management and tactical ability if the last two games are anything to go by.

Withoot a clue is an understatement.

But, then it was different. Then it was terminal, now, for me, it is a blip that has been coming for months. We were always going to end up paying for oor indifferent performances and the fact that we are too inconsistent in front of goal. Oor lack of creativity and the reliance on oor flair players was always going to come undone. Mind you, we pay oor flair players to produce but they are always going to lose form.

The last time we lost at Fawkirk, it was at the sesh pool that was Brockville and funnily enough was in 1994. An intimidating place where if you didnae fancy it you got a shooing. Westfield is another hell hole but in a different way. In no way is it intimidating, surreal but not intimidating.

You have to ask ourselves did we fancy it? It didnae seem so.

GS yer having a laugh

Wie this quote……

"On a good day, on a better finishing day, a better decision day, we'd have won the game easily.
"It just seemed to be 90 minutes of making chances and dominating."
"So it's concerning just now, but what I'm not concerned about is the attitude of the players," added Strachan.
"We're having a problem time in terms of results right now, but we've not got a real problem in terms of our attitude or the way we're playing."

Was he watching the same game as us? His “dominating and making chances” quote is the funniest thing I have heard in years. Yes, possession wise we dominated but creating chances? We had a few before they scored but after that, apart from the few half shouts for pens, we were left to hump aimless balls into the box for centre forwards who never showed or looked interested all day.

What was the plan B? Well oor ending formation reeked of a punter who has lost his wages on a Thursday night and was doon to his last fiver. He needed a big win so he backs a rank outsider so that he has sheckles to take hame to the wife.

Hartley in a back three, Elvis upfront, Lenny still on the park, looking back it was chaos. The team lack shape and cohesion and urgency. There was no oot the box thinking from the coaching staff yesterday just a kind of forlorn hope that the changes might have worked. Sometimes they have worked this year and credit where credit is due but last weeks 2nd performance and yesterdays 2nd half performance was well embarrassing wie the riches we have on the park.

And that’s all doon to attitude. But GS is happy wie that……

Walk a Million Miles

Oor lack of centre forwards is coming home to roost. We have been creating chances for months and not taking them. In the last wee blip we had- the series of drawn games in December- not killing of teams was the problem. Thing is now when you are not playing well you maybe only get one or two chances and do us and the players trust the strikers to take them?

If Kenny Miller wisnny Scottish the meeja would be ranking him alongside Sebo, Van Vossen etc. he is that bad I think the green brigade should add him to their banner. GS has been proved he was right to drop him but why recall him? He offers nothing to the team expect an outlet ball. Even then he loses it.

Hate to say but oor doubts have been proved right aboot oor Kenny.

And where the hell is Derek Rioirdan? Natural finisher was in a great run of form before he got injured and he can sniff oot a chance like Kate Moss can sniff oot an indie superstar in a sweaty nightclub. Wisnny quoted yesterday. Maybe he was at Hampden right enough….

Now I’m one to eat humble pie or any sort of pie, so here it goes, it we hadn’t sold Hartson we would have won the league by today. The style we try and play and the amount of aimless balls we put in the box would have been cannon fodder for the big fellow. Hell, it we had someone like Boydchenko the league would have been wrapped up by now. Think I’ve took that too far there.

But it's clear where or troubles are and maybe the midfield have been getting a raw deal.

Paddy Cregg

After ma slice of humble pie, still huvnae mentioned Jaro yet, cast yer mind back to January and when we lost oot on the Hibee twins. I said Patrick Cregg was always ma first choice for the wee nark role as, well I’m not beating aboot the bush, he is one of us.

Yesterday proved again he could add something to oor midfield. With Lenny being increasingly petulant I feel wee Paddy could be the perfect replacement. I mean we replace one Irish hot heid for a younger, quicker and less ginger version. Jobs a guid un I say.

International Week.

With two weeks before the next game we have time to dwell on oor crisis. For me this break comes at the wrong time and the build up to the united game will heap pressure on the team. In fact the Dundee Utd game is now monumental and a must win.

I hate being hard on the team. Moaning during success makes me feel, well, hunish. The team have done superbly getting us to this position where we can lose two league games in a row and it really disnny matter. They have shown tremendous attitude to pull us oot of the mire at times but that isnny always going to work. Defeats make you question things that you always doubted anyway.

Think it has also proved that even though GS has afforded himself leeway to build team 3 his vision of team two has failed to materialise. We will win the league and more inlikley the double but the doubts that we should being doing so much better in a better style remain.

We all know we can’t play well in every game. We know we can’t win every game. I think all we want to see is a bit of effort and style. Unfortunately style disnny always win things.

Next two weeks are going to be long so I’m going to go for a boat trip wie Freddie Flintoff to see if we can find the ghost of wee jinky. Mair interesting than internationals anyway.

Forza the stuttering hoops

The LOTW Diary- Thursday

2007-03-15T13:57:00.000+01:00

O’Dea is the new Kennedy.

News that Darren O’Dea signed a new deal wie the hoops on the back of the recently capture of another Irishman in Cillian Sheridan shows were oor future lies. Both youngsters have made their debut this season and both have shown enough to merit new deals.

More so O’Dea’s whose rise to prominence reminds us of another centre back that he could be partnering next season. John Kennedy and O’Dea both basically made their names wie big performances on the biggest stage of the lot.

Both had impressed domestically but it was the Nou Camp and the San Siro where both had the support slavering over them. Both became great white hopes to carry the torch of possibly becoming great centre backs as permitting of oor history.

A massive weight on young shoulders one, which we will need to afford both players time to make their mistakes and learn from them if they are to fulfil promise. Luck has dealt them differently though.

The assault on Kennedy playing in a meaningless international robbed him of years playing experience, which big Mick has benefited from. O’Dea benefited also from an injury suffered by a colleague. Scott Cuthbert was ahead of O’Dea in the pecking order when injury robbed him of the chance to play against St Mirren in the CIS cup a game, which O’Dea made his debut.

We need to hope O’Dea’s luck holds oot and fate keeps dealing him winning hands while lady luck shines on JFK.

The Future Of Elvis

Now when next season rolls into toon, a full compliment of young centre halves could be fit and raring to go. Big Mick has established himself as a stick on starter due to his willingness to learn and play through the pain barrier, sometimes to the detriment to the team right enough.

Gary Caldwell, Micks partner in crime at the start of this champion year, had just started to win over the doubters when the cursed injury jinx struck and saw him suffer for the fact that he had played wie that injury for a few games due to the returning Bobo Bombscare breathing doon his neck.

In came the aforementioned O’Dea, in front of the aforementioned Scott Cuthbert and then we have the returning John Kennedy. So where does that leave Bobo and Elvis?

Bobo, I’m already talking aboot in past tense. His unreliability means the £28,000 a week is sheer folly of an expense and could be used on two new players in oor current financial climate. Elvis. Well he was bought as experienced cover due to Bobo’s injury but when all in sundry are fit and the fact that O’Dea has stepped up to the plate wie aplomb his future needs to be questioned.

The big man has split the support as wide as seeebbbboooo split open his napper on Sunday. While most think he has went aboot his business professionally others see him as the spawn of Chewbacca and to blame for the worst r*ngers team in history getting a result on Sunday.

Now, he had nothing to do with oor inept performance or the goal we lost on Sunday but I think most would agree that in the CL next season he will get roasted. Long term he should be a bit part player next season along wie Lenny. Experience on the bench to be wheeled oot every so often. But Elvis is different from Lenny.

Do we really need his experience at the back? I mean big Mick has two full seasons under his belt and has more CL experience than Elvis. Caldwell and O’Dea have more CL experience than Elvis. Scottish league, Caldwell is a veteran with even more seasons under his belt than Mick, he was also the Hibs captain. O’Dea has 16 games under his belt with more to come towards the end of the season and the return of Kennedy before the seasons oot will see him get decent and needed airtime.

So do we need Elvis?

The Bitterest Pill

Now, while don’t like seeing Scots fans causing bother or being involved in bother abroad and I have 1st hand experience of Spanish, Italian and Portugese ,ahem, crowd control last nights re-enactment of the battle at helms deep in the Basque country have left me feeling not the slightest bit sorry for them.

Last week, we were in Milan and the chaos outside and getting into the ground I have already described. The section I ended up in was not segregated and Milan fans were a matter of yards from us. There was no hint of trouble, the banter was fierce but friendly and we were all pals at the final whistle. I mean you don’t turn up to someone’s home for a party get steaming and pee on their carpet do you?

So the heidie of the brox security team to flag up lack of segregation as the problem for their latest woes in a long line of woes in Europe over the last few years is laughable.

Maybe he should try and look at the behaviour of his own. Wonder if they turned up to someone’s home for a party, abused the hosts religious beliefs and sang songs aboot being up to their knees in the hosts blood and how they hate the hosts religious leader and expected to be still around for the buffet?

And they wonder why it always happens to them?

After their behaviour at CP on Sunday, as in the review of the game, I hope the Spanish Polis went to town on them. Aboot time they learned a bit of respect and dignity. But is it any coincidence that their behaviour is degenerating since the return of r*ngers men to take control of the team?

Title Party Cancelled

On to the new Brockville this Sunday wie hopefully a run oot for a few fresh legs, like Riordan are you reading this GS?, and O’Dea giving Mick a well deserved rest. Hopefully we may have seen the last of KM in a starting berth wie maybe the beats and magic the chance to strike up an understanding. See I’m already accepting that JVOH is injured.

Anyway I have decided not to take up the offer of a ticket in the Graham Tiso tent behind the goals. Would have took the risk mingling wie the fawkirk “fans” who canny afford bus fare if we could have wrapped up the championship but sense and ma dignity have prevailed since we canny win the league.

Tanadeechie after the uninteresting internationals it looks like. Time to perfect ma Dundee accent then.

Jinky

Tuesday was the 1st anniversary of the wee man’s death. There was no announcement from the club of any sort of lasting tribute to the wee man. Surely it would have been fitting to announce anything they have planned then.

Naming Lennoxtown after the wee man is what I’m after.

Jimmy Johnstone RIP.

FORZA THE HOOPS

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 0 Them 1

2007-03-12T13:58:00.000+01:00

Congratulations……You Have Won 2nd Place Not The World Cup

But to watch them at the final whistle yesterday you would have thought they had. All their chest thumping and top throwing was as embarrassing as another Lenny rattle oot the pram moment. Yes, sir listening to the slavering hoards last night that are usually not seen after derby games the peepell are back.

Tradition, fighting spirit and the cause are all buzz words. Wally and Sally have got them all in a laver over there emergence as a “force”. Let them dream even though they got a result yesterday that was doon to oor failings rather than them and the fact that yesterday was the best opportunity to beat us for a long time. If they had failed to do so you may as well have switched off the lights on Scottish Fitbaw.

Still nice to see their traditions of thuggery and jammy-ness are alive and well in the form of Adam, Bazza, Weir and Ugo. Don’t play fitbaw just boot the better players. Bring it on hopefully we will have learned something from yesterday for the return at the brox.

With a return to their traditions it is easy to hate them again. I only have to look at the wee fat oaf on the touchline wie the shorts on now to get ma blood boiling. After years of feeling sorry rather than hate the return of custodians means a return to doon right hatred.

Hope the get their comeuppance Oh so suna.

Celtic fans are racist

One wag returning from CP yesterday let slip that the hunny hoards had complained aboot racist abuse being dished oot from us towards their new Gough Ugo. When he was pulled up aboot these comments he went on to say monkey noises were audible in their end.

Biggest load of bolloxs I have heard. Mind you it wouldn’t be the first time monkey noises had been heard in their end right enough.

When the wag was asked aboot the dambuster actions towards Naka, which he found funny and the Big Jock Knew banner, which he says was true he was nonplussed. With guys like him willing to drag their support lower into the gutter it’s no wonder that bigotry is alive and well in Govan.

With those to actions they sunk to a new low…wonder if any of the meeja will come oot of wallies arse long enough to comment?

Lack Of Options

We had seen the story before. Played them off the park miss, chances and eventually succumb to a stoppable goal and leg weariness a few home truths were spelt oot.

We require a goal scorer to take the pressure of the one legged half fit JVOH. Miller, The Beats and Magic have been tried and failed. KM yesterday was oor seeeebo. After his mouthings regarding getting a regular game his performance just backs up the managements judgement that he deserved to be dropped.

Oor midfield lacked drive and unfortunately for us Tommy G and Hartley to men who would have added drive was oot. Sno and Lenny are peas in a pod but have no creativity whatsoever. Sno plays wie the shackles on when Lenny is there and Lenny disnny compliment Sno. With oor wide players having an of day we required something different from the middle instead we got panic and raggedness when we went a goal doon.

GS should have changed it earlier and the introduction Jaro in a midfield roll not up front could have made a difference. Then again the tank was empty by that point wie JVOH making there back line look like players and or wide players not wanting the ball.

The introduction of Riordan was a little to late even though he went close wie one effort he came into a team befit of ideas except punt it up and hope for the best. Mick up front was an embarrassing tactical switch and showed how desperate we were.

But saying that the run we have been on we have one games we shouldn’t have. Oor luck was going to run oot and we were going to pay for a dodgy performance one of these times. Why did it have to be yesterday though?

Jungle Boys v The Green Brigade

Nice to see these two groups adding a bit of colour to the proceedings yesterday. The JB’s banners are smart and full of tradition while the GB’s banners are witty and European. After the game in the midweek it was nice to see banner displays like that and hopefully both groups will continue with their efforts.

Maybe Celtic will gie them some dosh to spend rather than actively trying to chance one of them from the ground eh?

The Final Word

I’ll leave it to Frankie bhoys love child Aiden McGeady…

“if we had put oor chances away it would have been a different story but they got their goal and were up for it. They will be buzzing now they have beaten us, but over the season the STATS DON’T LIE”

FORZA THE CHAMPIONS

The LOTW Milano Diary

2007-03-10T10:35:00.000+01:00

"Ye can stick yer Thomas Cook up yer archie"

Was the song of choice from the independent travelling hoops on Tuesday and Wednesday. The feeling of resentment to the package operator and Peter Lawell was an on-going theme to everyone i spoke to.

Those who travelled via Germany, Swizterland and Outer Mongolia were all of the opinion that Thomas Cook are ticket touts and Peter Lawell needs to have a decent look at himself wie his comments.

Questions need to be asked why Lawell didnae want the fans to travel. Are they embarrassed by us? Sometimes it is easy to see why they could take that view. Our cultures take on European travel and the fact that,ahem," We're all mad for the bevvy, man" makes oor jovial antics sometimes cringe worthy.

This is not Celtic's problem though. It's a problem regarding the Scottish, Irish and English upbringing and culture. I mean, it disnny matter if all the fans travelled on TC a lot of those fans were in the same jovial mood as the independent lot.

Even though the fine line between banter and embarrassment is crossed there is never a hint of trouble. The atmosphere never turns nasty, messy maybe, but never nasty.

Even when we get herded of the metro, by big polis wie big sticks who seem to want to bash you, onto basically a cage on wheels and took to the ground.

Even when you turn up two hours before kick off to find yerself in the middle of a crush and stuck on a staircase when for a few minutes you feared the worst due to yer section already being full wie fans wie tickets from other sections of the ground.

There was never a hint of trouble. In fact on that staircase the hoops fans done well to get everyone to turn back. We never turned on the stewards who were getting over-run we just went up the next staircase and ended up in the 2nd tier wie all the Milan fans!!!

Ok, we did get moved into a section in the second tier above the nearside corner flag and in that section Hoops that had tickets for behind the goals, official and unofficial, where put due to the vast number of fans turning up wie tickets.

Me and Seven had tickets for completely different areas of the ground. We watched the game together. All this is a recipe for disaster but not for us. We got on wie it and all we wanted to do was back oor team. We were happy that we had got in. Thankful for AC being greedy for cash.

Still there was nothing nasty. No hint of trouble. The fact that we all got in was Celtics worst nightmare. The fact apart from the confusion there was no hint of bother in the stadium was their worst nightmare. The worst thing of all AC but themselves at a massive risk, but a calculated risk, that we were trustworthy. Something Celtic didnae seem to want to do.

If we hadn't got in the game would have lost something. Oor support is special on those kinds of nights. It made me proud looking aboot in the ground hearing the songs- Celtic songs- and the backing that we were giving the team. It's something that i thought we had lost.

It proved Lawell and Co have someway to eradicating us the fans and replacing us wie consumers.

The Italian Roar

The Ac fans played their part as well. The constant noise coming from behind the goals was breath taking. The brigate, the panthers, Alba Rossoneri and the drunk company kept the noise going in tactical bursts. Completly different from what we do but none the less very impressive.

When they scored, they noise they made was incredible. It wisnae like the noise here. We are a sort of "yyyyyeeeeessssss" they where a sort of "wwwwwwwwwooooooooooohhhhhhhhh" it sounded like a plane taking off. It echo round the space ship looking stadium shaking the stands. Even in such a sickening moment it was hard not to be to impressed. I mean ma hairs on the back of ma neck stood up.

I was looking to be impressed wie the fans. Always wanted to go to Italia to see a game with or withoot the Hoops. There fans seem to have a passion that we seem to be losing. I wasn't disappointed in the fans or the san siro. In fact i will go back to see AC who even though the ended oor dreams in the biggest game since Seville didnae leave the sour taste Porto did.

In fact i want them to go on and win it.

Another Glorious Failure

It was hard not to feel anything but proud of oor team. Again, though there was nagging doubt that we shoulnae really accept defeat but in the cold light of day we know oor place in the grand scheme of things.

Some will talk aboot PSV results and how we are a bigger club, which is true but PSV team has a lot more experience at this level than us. We had a team of rookies, youngsters and experienced players who are far from the top drawer. We had no right to go 180 minutes withoot losing a goal against a European heavyweight.

They knew they had been in a game. Their celebrations proved that we had run them close but not close enough. We were done by a bit of quality, a bit of quality we couldnae produce over the two games. The bottom line is we knew we lacked that creative quality and were relying on one decent ball into the box.

We accepted the Scottish trait of glorious failure due to this. We were proud of oor teams honest toil and sweat. All we asked was to give them a game and we done that. While we can gripe aboot tactics and formations the fact si we didnae have any failures, some had poor games but no-one hid or didnae try. In the aftermath of the game a few things came clearer.

While Naka is a fantastic player, the Milan games proved he is not top drawer. Along wie Tommy G, Jaro and JVOH these players are middle order european class. They will always get clubs who compete regular in Europe but will never get a move to a really big club.

For us to find someone of the class of Kaka we will have to get lucky. Arfur Boruc is the perfect example. He will move to a bigger club than Celtic. We need to find an outfield Arfur. We also need to hope that oor youth set up starts producing players of a slightly higher standard, which judging by the performances of the youngsters we could be on the way to.

Don't want to highlight individual players. They all done us proud. Just hope that we have many other nights that don't end in glorious failure but we all know we will. It's the Celtic way......

FORZA THE MIGHTY PROUD HOOPS WHO HAVE THE CHANCE TO TOP OF A GUID WEEK BY A WEE RESULT TOMORROW.

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 2 Pars 1 + Milano

2007-03-04T10:25:00.000+01:00

The Goon Show

Yesterday saw an almost jovial Tommy G revel in his first starting appearance in eons. While having a passing resemblance to Al Murray the pub landlord he decided to entertain us wie a mixture of skill and sheer daftness.

Again he showed us he has a range of passing to die for, close control and ability that improves any team and also an energy that is infectious. He also showed us that he is as mad as a brush with his histrionics when things didnae go the way he wanted.

Lee Naylor and Sno were party to his rants after baws had gone astray. His tendency to throw his hands in the air after something went wrong or jump in the air stamping his feet was like watching a wean not getting a tube of smarties in a supermarket.

GS again has to get the magic notebook oot and tell him where he should have been, him and Sno after the pars had the cheek to score starting charging around in two’s trying to get the ball leaving gaps everywhere but Tommy done enough for me to hope he stays.

But it’s ok having a guid game against a lost cause of a team wonder when he will do it when it matters?

Sno and Naka Show

One thing that was noticeable yesterday was how quick the ball was moved around the middle of the field. It was also prominent that Naka was moving inside more to play forward thinking one two’s wie Sno. The interplay of those two yesterday was a feature I enjoyed almost as much as watching the stands clear from ma seat in the gods when those hail staines came on.

Both showed fitbaw intelligence with their one and two touch moves wie Sno particular seeming to revel in his heid honcho role withoot the man from Lurgan alongside him.

If movement is the future well I for one can’t wait.

Kenny Brattbakk

Game should have been loused by half time yesterday. The pubs round CP should have been full will cauld and wet hoops getting a heat. But it wisnae was doon to woeful finishing by both oor strikers. 5 decent chances in the 6-yard box between them.

The beats played gingerly and had a stecky run that he always seems to have when he comes back from injury. Its almost antelope like his strides and this comes from a fear of opening up his legs and going for it. The run oot hopefully would have done him guid but again could set him back weeks, months or even years if the injury flairs up again.

Kenny Miller could have had a confidence boosting hat trick yesterday but instead produced a miss that will be remembered like a Van Vossen or a Bratbakk. How did he hit the underside of the bar from 6 yards I will never know? Actually that takes a bit of ability to do, if he meant it.

Bottom-line is if he gets a chance to trouble the Milan defence wie his pace he may only get one opportunity the whole game. Unfortunately the chances of him taking it seem very slim.

Scott Wilson is a Thug

That’s all that needs said really.

A Lions View

Yesterday, at CP while promoting another lunch in honour of the Lions, and of course, the Lions looking forward to another free lunch and free jolly, deservedly so I must add, but it disnny half give the impression that we are living in the past and the launch of the new 40th anniversary kit cements that outsiders view of us.

As the naesayers whinge “England 66” and “Celtic 67” on the crap phone ins and that we never shut up aboot them. But stuff them. We won the big cup and we brought it back and this week we are on big cup duty.

Tommy Gemmill, I think was on the wine before this interview wie his quote

"If you get through by putting Milan out in Milan, then there is no reason why they should fear anyone else in the competition. This is a huge game."

A tad optimistic there I think but, hey ho, I will go wie it but in all honesty I don’t think many of the teams left will fear playing us, which is a guid thing.

Ceasar added his two bob worth as well with the ticketing fiasco in a statement that reeks of him preserving his self-interest wie the club.

"It can be dangerous in any ground. I am sure the club will try to dissuade them from going," he said. "It is a great stadium and everyone wants to experience it, but we do not want any problems.
"Celtic fans always want to travel to support their team but maybe they can be a bit over-enthusiastic about going to see their team."

Over-enthusiastic us? Is this the same fans yer asking pay decent dosh to sit and have lunch wie you? Or the same over enthusiastic fans that have treated you like a legend, you are, over the years? Or the same over-enthusiastic fans that has won fair play awards and is welcomed all over Europe?

Again a chance to defend oor reputation has been missed by a club great.

Anyway, Billy I will be one of those over-enthusiastic fans, practising pigeon Italian and trying to get in no matter what. If ye want to discuss ma enthusiasm then come to the piazza del doume and I will be close by along wie a few thousand other over enthusiastic fans.

The Italian Joab.

Fly oot on Tuesday wie a heavy heart. When the draw was made I decided to book independently rather than go the offisal charter from the over priced Thomas Cook. Ma reasoning was that last time in the san siro the hoops got 8000 tickets and also Milan wouldn’t see us as a top draw so if push came to shove a ticket for the Milan end was always an option.

Of course times have changed, or have they, will the Italian polis actually implement their security measures and having had a look at the Celtic end tickets yesterday the muted names on the tickets has again proved to be a bear faced lie from the club.

When I booked I had no interest in watching the game in a racecourse, listening to Charlie and the bhoys, ahem, or in a pub. I still don’t. Ma £170 for a two night stay was only great value if I got a ticket for the game. Now it’s looking like an expensive £170 to watch it in a boozer.

Now thinking for another £50.00 I could have just went the day trip and got a ticket through the offisal charter. Just as Celtic want. In the auld days travelling hundreds of miles withoot a ticket was the norm for me, the bevvy and the craic wie the lads made up for the lack of tickets.

Now I just want to see ma team and thinking like the consumer Celtic want me to be wie regretting not going on the offisal charter. Or I could end up being a rebel in the Milan end giving the finger to the powers at be…..whatever, I’m sure it will be interesting either way.

FORZA THE FOREVER OVER ENTHUSIASTIC HOOPS WHOM I WISH STAY OVER ENTHUIASTIC AND NOT BECOME CONSUMERS.

THE LOTW DIARY

2007-03-01T13:46:00.000+01:00

Lorra, Lorra Cilla

The introduction of the bhoy from Cavan against Inversenkie has caused a bit of a stir. Cillian Sheridan, the lanky, needs a guid feed looking, 18 year old centre forward has got the meeja and the fans, who like to put the weight of the Jock Stein stand on young guys shoulders, in a spin and the rush to get quotes from guys in the “know” must have caused a fair gust of wind doon CP way.

I mean when he came on, we were informed by Iain Crocker, the Sky commentator lackie that he was an attacking midfielder a claim backed up by Davie Judas Provan. The guy was that unknown.

Anyway Joe McBride, is he THAT Joe McBride? came oot wie the usual insight that he is guid wie both feet, a target man in the JVOH mould, scored a barrowload of goals this season, you know the usual but he then told this story.

“He is basically a shy and quiet guy but you could say he is a typical Irishman. On one of the bus journeys in Villarreal we tried to get a singsong going among the boys but no one would get up.
“But once Cillian got up, there was no getting him down again. I hope he makes it as a footballer because he will never make it as a singer.”

What? An Irishman singing songs on the team bus? Does Jock McConnell know aboot this? Could this be Celtic promoting secterianism? Hope their wasn’t any cameras aboot of the young Cilla’s carrer could be quashed by a Doanld oh the bluebells are blue Findlay moment.

Anyway, the big fellow struggled to get into the game and his lay off for the winner was all that he did of note. Hard game to come of the bench and one, which could have been detrimental to the lads career. What has to be put in focus is the lads rise to promiance is more to do wie injurys to a strike force that’s wrapped in cotton wool and the fact that a lot of the next generation are oot on loan in places like Fife and Dingwall.

Wouldn’t expect Cilla- it’s mine I came up wie the nickname- to feature heavily in the run in, as strikers regain fitness but hopefully the wee taste of the limelight will make him jog on and continue his rapid progress since playing for his local Sunday league side this time last year and a new 3 year deal for the lad means we will hopefully get the benefits.

Samuri Naka

Stranger and as rare as a Kenny Miller goal was the fact that Naka lost his cool on Sunday wie Rankin and the impressive Ian Balck. The Naka-rage moment ended wie Black being papped on his behind with a shoulder charge after the ball was away then a wee sly kick from the Japanese Internet king.
Naka, showed all the poise and diligence of a samuri as he got up and wander away thus leaving Black to get booked for his over-reaction. Could this have been when Naka broke the bone in his hand?

The news of the injury while not worrying was backed wie a more promising rumour that we were going to offer the bhoy Naka mair yen to sign a new deal at the club. This would be his second new deal in 12 months and one, which we all agree, his perfromances have deserved.

GS is now looking to the longer term with Naka being viewed as a model pro who we all should be learning from. He said

"You want to get kids to copy Naka as young as they can, and that's why we need to find out what he has been doing since he was 10."
"Our analysis shows he runs between 12.7 and 13 kilometres in a game. Against AC Milan, he did more running than anyone on the pitch. You can only do that if you have real fitness, and he has that because of the way he has lived since he was very young."

It’s a great ideal the wee fellow is pushing there but one that is very difficult to put into practice. Naka’s culture and discipline that he has been raised wie is completely different from the culture that all oor players come from. A culture that players Da’s coaches and all hingers on will fill a guid players heid full of nonsense so by the time he is 14 he thinks he is the dugs baws. Also I don’t think Fish Suppers, Burger Kings and Irn Bru are the staple diet of Japanese.

Now, while you all know I’m not a cynical bugger:-) surely this muted deal has nothing to do wie the rumoured punting of the media and internet rights for funny cash due to the upturn in interest Naka has generated from Japan and the far east? Surely it has nothing to do wie Nike pushing us to hang on to a marketable commodity in the massive far east market?

Surely it’s for purely fitbaw reasons?

Milan Beamback In the Piazza Del Duomo?

Like thousands of others I arranged to travel to Milan on the wim that if I was unlucky in the ballot, ahem what ballot?, then the san siro is vast enough that a ticket for the Milan end would be no problem. Also knew a couple of co-orperate prawn munchers that would take their allocation then lazily pass them on to meself.

Well we are all up the creek withoot a paddle eh?

By the looks of it if yer no going wie the rip off offisal partner then yer chances of attending the san siro are nowt. The guys who have already bought tickets for the Milan end are in for plums unless they can speak Italian, are a AC season ticket gadgie and look Italian and not a skinny white, well oiled hootsman in a kilt and a glint in his eye.

Celtic’s pandering to the Italian authorities over the ticketing issue reeks of distrust. The fact that we need to produce passports and go through the same checks the Italians- who are in bother not us- to enter the stadium shows a lack of backbone from the Celtic board. Remember how many fair play awards have the fans won?

With the Italians demanding that every ticket has a named owner and a passport to prove they are Sean Fergus O’Kane fae Easterhoose then the natural distribution of tickets that happen at such events can’t happen.

The usual natural event is the bigwigs get the tickets then canny be arsed going and pass them on to us minions who gladly take them. Also that we usually know someone whose supporters club gets an allocation or someone from the Association or Affilation who are always willing to dish oot returned briefs.

The fact that Celtic have succumb to the Italians request means that more than a few regular travellers- who canny be arsed wie the overpriced offisal charters, which when I think aboot it, surely Celtic cornering that market wie the incentive of a ticket is against the free trade laws or something like that? I mean basically they are trying to get you to go wie their travel company and discouraging you to travel independently, unless there is loads of tickets to be had….- that get their tickets this way will miss oot.

And why? All because Celtic couldnae say to the Italians that they trust their distribution method of the tickets and who would end up with them.

Makes you glad they value and trust oor support eh?

Into the Valley

I have absolutely nothing against Dunfermline. They don’t get ma loins stirring like a Hearts or a Motherwell. I canny find nothing to hate aboot them. While I hope they don’t win on Saturday, I hope they stay up as they are more deserving cases for relegation, again see Hearts or Motherwell.

Their new coach Stephen Kenny, strikes me as an affable man, good in the interview and has some guid ideals which in the long term the pars might benefit from. He handles the spectre of the so called Fife bard in Jim Leishamn hanging over his shoulder very well while most would want to tell him to get stuffed wie his dodgy rhymes.

Another thing that has impressed me aboot Kenny is that he hasn’t went back and plundered his old clubs for players to get Dunfermline oot a hole. Other clubs, most notably Motherwell, have taken advantage of the fact the Irish league play in the summer and January was their close season. Kenny could have quite easily went and plundered his Derry City side offering his ex-players double of treble what they were earning- or supposed to be earning judging by the financial plight of the Irish league.

This would have been an easy out for him as I don’t think the Irish players would struggle in the SPL and Derry’s performances in Europe maybe showed that they could have flourished in oor league. Instead he stuck wie what he got and signed Scottish- I noticed he signed Tam McManus, the Riordan before Riordan, this week, that wee bugger always scores against us- in a bid to beat the drop.

Now while the Irish invasion may still happen when they end up in the 1st division and the financial realities bite I’m glad that he has gave the Scottish waste of spaces the time to dig themselves oot the hole they got themselves in.

Anyway, could they get a result on Saturday? They are playing a team wie one eye on Milan, a title in the bag and nae centre forwards. We are struggle for form and it will be interesting to see what kind of side GS puts oot.

One things for sure anything other than a professional performance and we could be looking at the pars winning at CP for the second time in 14 months.

Forza The Hoops, who are looking to Milan while not thinking aboot the Pars.

The LOTW Diary- Inversenkie 1 Hoops 2

2007-02-26T13:44:00.000+01:00

The Late, Late, Late Show

Why? Can someone tell me why we treat the senkie as if they are bloody Real Madird? I mean they are organised, granted, physically imposing, workmanlike but are so unspectacular it makes the fact that we struggle up their puzzling. The wee boy black apart- now he looks like a player- the rest of the senkie team wisnae look oot of place in a line up for war crimes against fitbaw at the Hague.

In fact they widnae look oot of place in a polis line up for muggers awe, nae teeth, skinheads and tattoos.

But struggle we do and yesterday was no different. Difference was that yesterday we played some no bad fitbaw but the lack of the final ball and a focal point upfront was the main problem. Hard as it was on the senkie it was aboot time we ended their undefeated run in the main cup competition against us and also shut up the assorted meeja men on Sky who took great pleasure in reminding us that “Super Caley went ballistic”

At the final whistle I must admit I was laughing at the coupons of Jim White, Chubby John Robertson- Caley won’t lose this game was the fat jambo’s mantra- and Charlie Nick. The difference from their look of delight at half time to their look of sheer shock at full time was worth the wait.

The Last Chance Saloon.

Now, after oor no bad opening in which Jaro looked like a fitbawer before disappearing from view, the fact that we only had one centre forward, whom at a push is the most unnatural centre forward on oor books, and a system which allowed the midfield to swap at will looked to be a guid call from GS.

The senkie goal put paid to oor good work but, as usual, we never deviated from the game plan, which at 1-0 doon and not creating chances is frustrating. We keep the ball, we probe and we get ourselves in great positions but the final ball was letting us doon.

At 1-0 doon you want urgency or you start to look to the bench for someone to change it. Yesterday as wie Milano we had not one striker available who has had 1st team game time. The shuffling of the deck had to come from out the box thinking and a few hail Mary’s being said by Tommy Burns if they were to come of.

This was where GS got lucky.

The fact that we scored two goals shouldnae over look the fact that when Aiden replaced Jaro we were chasing the game with only one forward one the field. The fact that wie 20 minutes left he went one up front wie the hope that Naka and Aiden would support from wide.

Also that when this change happened Evander Sno and not Paul Hartley had been pushed into a more advanced position. In fact Hartley was the deepest lying midfielder who replaced Lenny in the joab of taking the ball from Elvis and Mick deep inside oor ain half.

Now while Sno is slightly more, ahem, forward thinking than Lenny, he is not an attacking midfielder.

The 2nd last throw of the dice came when the untried and unheard of Cillian Sheridan came on for Mark Wilson thus shoving Hartley to right back. Sheridan gave Millar a partner but the fact remains that we had 10 minutes when the team was tactically a shambles.

Maybe oor possession play deserved a slice of luck and a replay but as a coach I don’t think GS will look back on this one with any fondness or inclining that he was a tactical genius to pull of the escape.

The Final Ball.

Our guid possession play was undone by shocking wing play from the 2 full backs. Mark Wilson seems to be feeling his way back into the game after a serious injury while Lee Naylor seems to be going from one offensive mare to another.

His delivery was terrible and barely got by the 1st man all game. The guy is solid enough in defence but what set him apart was his crossing ability and rampaging overlaps that were so prominent in his early hoops career.

Lack of confidence maybe? But one thing’s for sure his performances have slipped to a droppable level. His early promise and arrogance, which he radiated when he signed has gave way to, by the look of it, under pressure performances and a look of a man struggling to come to terms wie his surroundings.

When speaking to a fellow Hoop last week I mentioned that I thought Naylor had been a guid signing but what the hoop said was very true. He said it’s ok doing it for 3 months but at Celtic you need to do it for 3 years before you can be judged as a success or not.

No S*rrender

The two goals yesterday that sent the hoop hoards bouncing back doon the A9, carry oots and chips in tow, were defiantly had made in Govan stamped all over them. Not that we cared and not that Elvis and Kenny Millar care that they used to frequent the dark side.

The way both were celebrated by the players, wie all the badge thumping, clenched fists and jumping into the crowd verve of a life long ginger heided, skinny and freckled Tim who attended the correct skool and still goes to chapel.

While again it’s maybe just me, but I found and find the badge thumping a bit naff, I love it really as in the boozer after the game and today at work the gers are beilin that two former dirties got us oot a hole and they bloody enjoyed it.

As I said Kenny and Elvis are on the road to redemption…

Iversenkie Polis Hate the Hoops

Again another late winner and again another jump into the crowd celebration. The wee stand at the Tulloch stadium seems to have a big walkway doon the front. The lateness of the equaliser and winner caused a mass gathering of celebrating hoops doon the front in the walkway. Who could blame them, they fancied a bit of a dance didn’t they?

Anyway, when Miller jumped in the crowd a move, which 20 minutes before would have saw him lynched by the same supporters, the stewards and polis moved quickly to defuse the situation. Celebrating wie yer own fans is not allowed roond oor way I’m sure the big coo pie-eating Sergeant was thinking.

So in he steamed and pulled poor Kenny oot. C’mon mate, oor Kenny canny hit a coo wie a banjo and is low on confidence, he scores a peach of a goal and needed a hug from his devoted following to show him that we believed that he was a top drawer striker.

Nah, a booking and from the officish ref and clot roond the ear by Pc Murdoch was the order of the day.

Up For The Cup Still….

Can you hear the drums Fernando? Maybe not but we can all hear and see the spookily reminiscent of the centenary year mob when comebacks and late winners were the norm. some say we were lucky, yes but you need luck in fitbaw and the amount of times we have came back from the deid is a testament to the spirit of the players.

It’s maybe more doon to the quality of individual rather than luck. Yesterday’s equaliser came from a decent set piece swung into the box from a quality player. Again the second was great build up play- involving Naka and Tommy G who added a bit of pace to the middle when he came on- and a smart finish.

The amount of ball we had, we were eventually going to get a chance. The lack of the final ball is a worry but the return of oor injured parties I think should mean we will have targets to hit and options in the final third rather than the one pass to many or sideways display we had yesterday.

Patience is a virtue, which has been drilled into this team while it is frustrating you have to admire that we dinny panic. Well the players that is, us the fans are hiding behind couches up and doon the land. If we had got beat I still would have said it was a no bad performance but lacking the killer instinct doon to the fact we lacked a decent delivery.

But at least we got two decent deliveries at the end of the day.

Forza The Hoops, who like to keep us sweating

The LOTW Diary- Friday

2007-02-23T14:04:00.000+01:00

Milano Fallout

The debate rages on in cybertimdom whether GS made an almighty boob wie tactics and personnel or whether the result, while disappointing, was the best we can hope for playing against the cream of Europe.

Me, I’m in the middle but leaning towards it’s the best we can hope for. While saying that I glad we competed and I think we have shown that if we can cure the travel sickness we can compete and maybe trips to the last 16 will not be as rare as a Kenny Miller goal.

The seedings don’t lie. We snuck into the pot 2 this season but in reality we are a pot 3 team. A middle order European team, slightly behind the Benfica, Porto, PSV, Werder etc but ahead of yer Anderlect’s and Bucharest’s. The teams above us we will and can beat on any given day but they have developed a knack of taking points from the teams in the ranks above them and importantly away from home.

Bottomline is if you look at the UEFA cup we would be a guid side in there, a last 16 or even a ¼ final team. Teams would want to avoid us in that competition. Here in the CL we are termed by the big boys as also ran’s who on there day can upset but usually don’t.

The fact that Scotland is competing wie Romania, Belgium and the Ukraine for an extra CL spot says it all.

So how do we redress the balance? We can’t compete in terms of finance and economics. Bigger leagues attract better players and money talks. That is something that gets on ma goat and I hate using it as an excuse. Sometimes the trend is bucked- Porto- but that will only happen once every decade. Look at Porto now, a shadow of their former selves, their team plundered and pillaged after their successes.

But they are still decent. Homegrown talent and shrewd operating in their financial market place have allowed them- last year apart- to maintain their place in the middle order. This is what we must look at doing.

As Lenny said….

. "We had a very inexperienced side out there but they acquitted themselves very well. To record a clean sheet against that team takes some doing."

We will never be able to buy a fully-fledged Pirlo or Scholes. But we can buy potential that we can nurture and also can ensure we give oor youngsters the best possible coaching, facilities and knowledge to give them a chance of making it to CL level.

Oor team contained 3 players under 21- 2 of them from yoof system 3 altogether, though I think we should be aiming for a higher number than that- on Tuesday night. I wonder if any other team in Europe had that? It’s the way to go but one, which in the long term will still leave us in the middle order and maybe that’s where we are at and where we should always aim to be.

An Agents Moan.

Since all papers and meeja outlets gave the hoops grudging praise after oor draw wie Milano it was nice to see them all dig up a rent a quote agent who was willing to sell his soul to say all was not well doon parkhied.

John Sivebaek came oot wie this..

"As a player you have to accept the manager's decision and that is what Thomas is doing at this moment. We all know, though, a player at his level cannot accept the situation as it is for a long time.
"Thomas is still happy at Celtic, and has a contract with 21/2 years remaining, but things can change quickly in football."

Now, while there was a case for the Gravedigga to come on earlier against Milan, a case for him to have started the game is less watertight. As in many musings here, Tommy G has been hit, miss and miss again in the games he has played.

One of the main gripes regarding the Gravedigga is his seemingly lack of tactical nonce and discipline when following orders. A dug chasing a balloon springs to mind at times, when he is charging after the ball. Numerous occasions, GS has berated him during games for not following orders.

Now the performance and discipline of the Milano midfield the other night proves one of the reasons why this flexibility and discipline is needed in the modern game. You just canny be one type of midfielder you have to be able to play anywhere across that line and also follow orders.

Strangely enough, Jaro is more a modern midfielder than Tommy. Holding or attacking role and out wide he has proved he can do a joab but, again, the problem wie him is he is languid in his application to the game.

On Sunday I don’t think there is any danger that either of them will get a run in their favoured roles. Hartley will come in along side Lenny for the slog while Jaro might get a wee run up front or in the hole as a support striker. Tommy will be getting skelves in his arse.

Could just be that after 18 months without any soccer Tommy is struggling to adapt to the unique style of the Scottish game. Much like Jaro they have better technique then most opponents but at times seem lost at how to use it.

Both have much to offer to the hoops but whether both are around long enough to do it is another question. That depends I feel on Neil Lennon staying or going.

Up For The Cup In The Senkie.

Another early kick off. Another long trip north. Another blood and snotters type game to dine on after the succulent lamb we feasted on in the midweek. A trip to a team that has a 100% undefeated recorded against us in the Scottish Cup. A stadium that we always struggle.

Pampers anyone?

We are usually the makers of oor own doonfall against the senkie. We never play well, don’t keep the ball and we succumb to their harrying style. After the efforts in midweek oor limbs will be weary and minds could be not as sharp as they should be.

A few changes to freshen up the side could be made. Some will be hard on the youngsters who I think deserve to keep their place. Sno will make way for Hartley. ICT are no AC so there is no really any need for two defensive midfielders. O’Dea will return to the bench allowing the experience of Elvis to come in alongside Mick. We might also see Aiden making way for extra height so Jaro may be in wie a shout.

While earlier I stated we should be aiming for a class of young player that should adapt to CL level these players should also adapt to the domestic game. This should be no problem to them as they have been raised playing in the backwaters and against the hammer throwers. But there seems to be a general acceptance and a general will by us the support to see the experienced guys come back.

The bottom-line is we expect to win every game and sometimes youngsters, and especially after the heights of the other night, may not be physically and mentally ready for the match. Older pro’s have been here and done it before. Hartley and Elvis will be buzzing at the thought of coming back into the team and may give us need energy if we have a sluggish start. As could the re-introduction of Rioirdan if fit.

It’s a squad game nowadays. As the years roll by the experience will end up on young guys shoulders, I’m talking aboot 25 and 26 year olds. Now, at this point in time the experience comes in the form of guys in their thirties.

We need them to perform on Sunday.

Forza The Hoops, some who are worried aboot the cup and are calling in favours for Milano……

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 0 Milan 0

2007-02-21T12:54:00.000+01:00

Setting the scene.

Well. It’s set for a humdinger winner takes the lot toe to toe in the San Siro. It’s an Italian job for the hoops and there won’t be a place for mini’s, Michael Caine or a bus full of gold. Just a few thousand hoops wie hope in their hearts hoping that the bhoys can up their game and nick a goal.

It was another hair standing up on the back of the neck night at CP. The walk on was spectacular. The corner of CP that held the tifosi and the boys from the “brigate” seemed overfull and was buyout aboot it. Once again CP under the lights was alive, bouncing and full of anticipation. This was not lost on the Milano players as Maldini and Gourcoff told the Milano website

This a great environment to play in, even if you are the opponent.

It’s difficult playing here, it's an extraordinary atmosphere

The game turned oot to be one for the pureist. Seemed to be a lot of them at CP last night judging by the way the Milan team was applauded from the field. After such a frenzied build up there was always going to be a sense of disappointment after a 0-0. The muted walk from the staduim to the bus was strange, an air of a missed opportunity hung over us but some were maybe just like me quietly impressed at a European quality display from a quality team.

Bottomline is, no matter what missed opertunities, no matter what tactical errors were made we still have to do what we laways were going to have to do anyway. Score in the San Siro and put an end to oor travel sickness. Last night proved it will be difficult but we are still in the tie and thatw as always the aim.

Out-foxed and Out Thought

Watching the Rossoneri on Tv disnae do them justice. Last night all their European experience came to the fore. In truth it was like watching a road runner cartoon. We were the cayote, trying to snare the beast in ever increasing desperate measures. No matter what we done the roadrunner was always one step ahead last night. Blocked of at every pass and turn.

We were outdone both on and off the park. We all never saw them sticking an extra man in the midfield this nulifying oor creative threat doon the wings. On the park it was like watching an old boxer spar wie a young pretender. The youngsters enthusiasm curtailed and harnessed wie a display of cunning and the ability to know that they could deliver a knock oot blow.

Their midfield was a hive of industry. Pirlo was just a joy. I have never seen a player who moves so little but does so much. Did he run? Did he break sweat? Short passes, long passes he was like a quarter back. For a player that seems to move so little he found space easily. As they say great players make the game look easy and he certainly did last night.

Thought Paul Scohles against us was a joy, but Pirlo was a further step above and that’s some going.

Tactical Naivety?

The pairing of Sno and Lenny in the midfield was the main cause of much murmerings. While both played well they lacked the creative bit needed as the wings were congested and Naka thought he was playing for Reggina again. The italians had the measure of the man from Japan, which disnae bode well for the return.

Aiden apart from flashes done nothing against the tag team of Oddo and Rino- who I think I have developed a grudging respect for- and again it could be said froze on the big stage. The lack of space to work made oor creative weapons a blunted force something GS picked up on

Our attitude was ten out of ten, but the technical side of our game was only five out of ten. If we can improve that side of things a little, then we can really give Milan a game over there.

Big improvement needed from oor baw players and maybe a slight tinkering wie formation and system. The Kenny Miller- taxi to the toon?- and JVOH is never going to work no matter how many times Scott Booth says it will.

Miller didnae even produce his usual annoying-ness display and once never trouble the rarely troubled Milano centre backs. JVOH never really troubled them either as 1) the supply to him was terrible and 2) he was playing on one leg.

If we are to get anything from the game in Milan then we must have more striking options. There was nothing on the bench that could have changed the game as the bringing on of Jaro proved. Fit again Magic, Beats and Riordan must all be ready and must be in GS thoughts for the return game.

The lack of movement also ensured oor fullbacks both had their worst games in their short Celtic careers. Long aimless punts to naebodyand rushed crosses were the order of the day from Lee and Mark.

Overall, our display had guts but lacked creativity, intelligence and pace. But I’m not going to be to hard on them. Sometimes a toothless display has a lot to do with the ability of the team yer facing. Yes, we can do better and will need to, but we all would have took a 0-0 before a baw had been kicked last night.

Sno Dea

GS picks up on something I noticed early doors last night

It was a good lesson for us as we had a young team. Our back four in particular were all young and it was the first time they've played together in a big game. When compared with the experience of the Milan team, I'm very satisfied with my players' display.

We have a very young side oot there and also one that in CL terms is still in pampers and it showed. This is no disgrace. Mialn have done this to better teams than us during the years.

Two outstanding players were two of the youngest. Sno and O’Dea done well, better than expected. Faced wie the might of Gilardino, O’Dea never onced flinched from his task while the Sno man done his job with aplomb against a midfield he shouldn’t be getting a sniff from.

Both are unspectacular, Sno is a fetcher and carrying type midfielder and O’Dea reads the game well and knows when to wellie the baw and when to play. Everyone will have learned lessons from last night. You learn more after defeats or disappointing results- I think beating Man U disguised the fact that we were ootplayed for long spells in that game- and young players learn.

The hard part is ensuring they heed the warning fired last night.

My name is Joe

Anyone seen him?

Forza The Hoops who are now looking forward to Milano.

The LOTW Diary- Sheep 1 Hoops 2 + Milano

2007-02-19T13:50:00.000+01:00

The Importance Of Being Idle

A trip to Sheepie land turned oot to be an easy ride for the Hoops. Two goals in the 1st twenty had the hoopy hoards singing “ole” “ole”- along wie some other ditties that get rolled oot as always when we bypass Perth- long before the end and the moronic soccer am lager lout generation chant of “easy” “easy” which personally I would love to see fired in the bin.

The “easy” “easy” chant is up there wie ma most hated one EVER. Remember late nineties that “Carnival of Paris” one. If ye canny it was the tune for the France 98 world cup. It was played after goals at CP. It was embarrassing and terrible.

The fact that we like the rest of the fitbaw world have welcomed a Murdoch inspired rouse and called it oor own thus giving the creators of this an ego boost really gets ma goat. The fact at the program is created for and aimed at lad’s mag lager culture and sun readers disnae say much for the British fitbaw fan.

It’s just another part of the modern sky / setanta inspired fitbaw culture were the fans have become lazy and look to the meeja for inspiration for songs. We have become lazy. In fact the game we love has almost become americanised in its packaging and promotion.

For the first time I really think we could be on the verge of losing the grass roots of fan backing and creativity. We could be on the verge of the new generation of hoops believing we are a carbon copy of what they see on TV in the EPL.

Something that we could be unable to stop due to factors and also the boards promotion of us as a brand rather that a club.

The Importance of Not Being Idle

Tomorrow night is another example of the new modern packaged game. The Champions League is a beast created through TV, money and greed. It is also a successful beast due to the fact that European competition always gets the juices following. Even with all the tinkering, the competition still gives the fans what they want. Big clubs, coming to our patch and a chance to turn them over.

Something we excel at.

Now, while I’m saddened at the state of fan culture up and doon the country CP deserves it status as being one of THE stadiums to be at on CL nights. The revamped CP does create an intimidating arena, not in keeping with other newly built stadiums that we see and visit.

Celtic Park is special.

Its design has brought the fans closer to the action and allows the noise to linger and reverb all round the ground. The stadium looks grander under the floodlights. More majestic, more like a canvas where artists perform and legends are created. Even thought he stadium plays it’s part the fans make it happen.

We marry old and new. Terrace veterans who remember that European nights were always special at CP and the new breed who believe the meeja spin on the CL and also the spin regarding the special CP atmosphere.

It’s a meeting of cultures and it works. The fans make it work on the levels that appeal to them. We work in unison. Maybe it’s something to do wie being the underdog that the same atmosphere can’t be generated at domestic games.

The two cultures are different, different values, different views and different takes on the Celtic Way. Domestically we don’t work together in Europe we do.

I expect nothing different tomorrow. In fact I’m looking forward to singing from the same hymm sheet for once as long as it’s not Soccer AM inspired.

The Importance Of Being Idle (2)

It was the source of much discussion on LOTW the team’s selection for the visit to the sheep and also not returning wie injuries. GS put oot a strong line up wie, on the face of it, no leanings to saving players for Milano.

Always dangerous and now in hindsight could have been sheer folly. Oor main strike pairing are as fragile as china dolls. Slight strains and niggling injuries seem to find them no problem. Oor other main striker seems to find trouble whether it being his 1st touch, lack of confidence in front of goals or running into a linesmen.

With such an important game coming up and a massive lead we all expected GS maybe to tinker wie his team. But he went for the strongest line up possible and basically gave the watching Milano mole no indication of the starting 11.

The recalled Jaro in place of Aiden was a surprise but was it an indicator for Tuesday. The coming of Sno instead of Tommy G was maybe another indicator. Both might have been getting some game time to loosen their limbs for Tuesday.

One thing is for sure if Beats and JVOH are fit they start. GS said

"I thought they played well together," . "I liked what Beatts did. We had a chat about last week's performance and he took in a lot of things and practised them during the week."

Even the Beats like’s playing wie the big man

"Preferably I can play off Jan and let him get battered about. He's got a great physical presence and that allows me to try and open my legs."

Now, while not a 1st choice pairing both are their on merit. Beats finish on Saturday was clinical and as natural as anything JVOH has done. His gangly style and lack of touch may have not worried the watching Milano mole but his ability to find space in the channels will have been flagged up.

Milano play narrow in the middle wie their full backs providing attacking width. We will be looking for the beats to exploit that.

JVOH, well what can be said? The guy is a player, mobile, great touch, a presence and a natural finisher. He is as important to us Arfur and Naka.

Both will need to be fully fit and ready for us to get anything from Milan.

Heart of the team.

Saturday saw another guid performance from oor two boys from the east. Elvis and Hartley again proved to have what it takes to play for the hoops domestically. Elvis and Mick has struck up an understanding, a partnership that is solid rather than awe inspiring and Hartley has slotted in well but not yet quite reached the heights of his tub thumping jamboite days.

While a lot see a missed opportunity not have blooded O’Dea and big Mick before the Milan game I think GS has been correct in playing Elvis when fit. O’Dea has proved to be calm when he has came in and Big Mick will see him right.

Again O’Dea and Mick partnership will be solid rather than inspiring but the adrenaline flowing in both players will ensure lack of game time together is not a factor.

Cigars

Quite hard to judge Saturdays game. The work clothes were off early doors and a stroll ensued. We played well within ourselves and after the break were content wie a few ventures up the field in counters rather than full oot attack. Dangerous game but one a woeful Aberdeen side made easy for us.

For all their possession they only made King Arfur a few times and ma feeling that they are third by default was all but reinforced. It’s little wonder that the sheep attendances are down this season if that is the dross served up to them.

Over or Under?

When Naka stepped up to that free kick did anyone have the same conversation as me? I said it was too close in for the diminutive genius to strike the ball over the wall and back doon. Said that under the wall was the way to go and that Hartley should strike it.

What do I know eh?

The man from Japan ,again, proved that he is one of the best dead ball specialists in Europe. It’s an un-defendable weapon and one that the Milano mole wouldn’t have needed to put in his report.

I mean go on you tube and you will see all his free kicks in glorious colour.

My Name Is Joe…

Anyone seen him?

Forza the Hoops who like me are hyper at the thought of tomorrow night and have just wrote two diary’s at once so he can go early tomorrow…….

The LOTW Diary- Friday

2007-02-16T11:28:00.000+01:00

Carlos Ancelotti Still Has Betamax

In the build up to the biggest game, since our last big game the very impressive AC Milano website- reports from training, times the players are training etc, makes a mockery of the claim that players are hard worked- had a webchat wie their gaffer Ancelotti.

Apart from questions regarding the fenomon or fat Ronnie to you and me the hoops came up a few times and the gaffers response was

Celtic are a very physical team. They play at high rhythm,"

Now, either we have knobble the scout or Ancelotti has been watching old DVD’s of St Martins of O’Neill sides. Us physical? High rhythm and us?

One of the main gripes aboot oor team 2 is that they lack bite in a tackle and when the chips are doon flying into tackles is not oor midfields forte. In fact we are more likely to sit deep and wait for the opposition to make a mistake rather than tackle for the ball.

We are also no longer as a physical imposing side of days of yore. The lands of the giants that MON had are gone and at set pieces only JVOH, Jaro and whoever are playing CB need to be watched.

Main gripe of all in cybertimdom is that most of our performances this year have been at pedestrian pace when we were promised pace, power and skill at the outset of this season. Against Milan if we keep our normal pace the Italians will shut us oot like numerous wives up and down the country shutting out husbands after they forgot the rouse that is Valentines Day.

So whatever videos the Milano lads have they are well oot of date or we look a lot different on the telly.

My Name Is “Joe”

Oor new full back Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe or Joe as the players have christened him, well the young team that have seen him, got a typical west of Scotland welcome on landing in Glesga. The big fellow said

When I flew in, I took a taxi from the airport, and ended up with a driver who was a Rangers fan. The moment he learned that I had signed for Celtic, he refused to say another word for the rest of the journey."

What a nice taxi man. Nice to see that the mints charge to eradicating bigotry, ahem, from the second biggest institution in Scotland is being welcomed by the hoards. Rumours that the taxi man bumped the fare and bought a heart attack inducing Sausage and Bacon doubler roll, a donught, a bootle of ginger and a deep fried mars bar from Senga’s mobile snack van in Paisley while moaning aboot having to drive reserve tims aboot are unconfirmed.

Mind you the guy has seen big Joe mair times than me.

We All Love Neil Lennon

After Shuggie Nakamura claimed that Neil Lennon is a player we canny do without and that he learns from the ginger Lurgan man on the park- pity Lenny couldnae learn from the mercurial Japanese player, then we would move the ball aboot at a high rhythm- now Paul Hartley has come oot in support of the man he was bought to replace.

"When you're playing against someone, you know if they are a good player. I always rated Neil highly. He's a great player but it's not until you are playing in the same team that you fully appreciate the work he puts in and how well he keeps the ball - getting it and moving it on.
"He's been outstanding so far and it's been a joy to be there beside him."

Gushed Hartley wie Valentines Day soppiness. The Celtic midfield is a right love in these days eh? Unless yer Tommy G and yer teas oot wie the arrival of Hartley. Now Tommy G returns to the scene of his debut on Saturday and he will hope for some game time before Milano.

With Lenny being a given starter on the park as he is loved by everyone and Hartley’s graft and guile has gave the midfield a needed boost after looking flat then Tommy G chance to regain his place, maybe also salvage his Celtic career, will be the double heider against Milano.

His bit part over recent weeks as a second striker won’t do the notions of failure that surround him any guid and only a return to a midfield berth will see hopefully the return of the true gravedigga that we have seen flashes off.

A big few weeks for oor Tommy ahead.

Dirty Cash

Now, while in this day and age finance in the fitbaw is as likely a topic of conversation in the boozer as managers team selections and players. Everyone is an “expert” in all fields nowadays due to the readily available breakdoons from experts on financial results posted. Yesterday’s announcement that we have made a profit of around £18 million was meet wie the excitement of a 15 year old who has found a copy of razzle under his faithers bed by these “experts”

For one I couldn’t give a monkeys about the in’s and oots of the result. As most fans I just want to see a decent team, the management getting decent backing, an improved scouting system and a youth policy in place that produces first team talent to stop us trying to compete wie the EPL and Championship transfer fee’s and wages.

Me as a fan just wants to see us being creative in oor scouting and proactive in promoting the youth and the moving on of youth at a profit if they don’t make the grade. Our scouting network has been expanded to 16 countries and the appointment of a guru scout is another step in the correct direction. Basically I look at Arsenal and I want that for my club.

While being in a healthy financial position is great and I understand the fact that we need to tout oor selves like a cheap tart all roond the world to make up for the pittance we get in telly money I disnae mean that I have to like it.

The news that we offered Kjartan Henry Finnbogason and Teddy Bjarnason new deals yesterday made more interesting reading for me than making a hugh profit.

Tango and Sash.

A trip to the Sheep tomorrow and again a gerrymandered kick off time due to money. We travel to the Senkie next weekend again the kick off is 12.30 and again it’s due to money. No consideration for us the fans. We have allowed the Tv companies to dictate to us for too long and I applauded Naill Quinn’s stance at Sunderland.

Sky wanted to move their game against Preston at the Stadium of Light to, I think, to a lunchtime kick off. Quinn refused and said fans wanted 3 o’clock on Saturday kick offs and that he didnae want their money. Maybe more chairmen should take note.

Anyway, the two Jimmies are in a strange position. While wanting to defeat the hoops, as their heritage demands, a win for them heaps pressure on Scotland B in Govan in the race for the CL spot. Then again they may be hurting at being overlooked for their dream joab so whatever happens we are in for a tough game.

The sheepies position in the league I think belies their quality and has much to do wie Fc Kanus of Edinburg and the Embra Greens failure to get a consistency rather than them being the 3rd best team in Scotland.

But as is per norm on oor away days we struggle. You would think that given the vast financial gap between us and the rest and the fact that we were the highest spenders in Scotland this season we would have been gubbing teams and playing silky fitbaw on the way to oor handsome lead.

Fact is we have had oor overalls on since the September and the guid suits have only came oot fleetingly since then. I expect another typical performance from us, one where we play the patient passing game- even if we are one down- we are now renowned for and rely on oor creative talents.

The return of JVOH and Riordan oor two form players in recent weeks should see us more potent than last week but the fact is since Xmas we have been playing like a team wie Milano on their minds and a massive lead in the bag.

Dangerous mind set and one GS knows aboot he said…

‘We have to stay focused on our priority and our priority is to win the league and that gets reinforced all the time. That is the priority.’

Time those words were heided and a performance the return.

Forza the Hoops who are looking forward to Milan but worrying sheep is a main priority…

The LOTW Diary- Tuesday

2007-02-13T11:06:00.000+01:00

Snoogle Boogle

Fancy a game of Snoggle boogle? Don’t know what it is but the Nordic ones in the 1997/98 championship winning side, who are guaranteed legendary status and a pint in Celtic minded pubs for the rest of their lives, seemed to have a few snoogle boogle nights at chez Reiper.

Well that’s what Tom Boyd and Judas Burley christened the nights anyway. While all the rest of the lads led by chief goon goalie Gould were peshed up, sticking their heids in railings and toy fighting in the street the Scandinavian members of the squad where, ahem, being civilised playing board games etc. Bolloxs.

Anyone that has meet Scandinavians on holiday will know that a game of snoggle booggle would be a lot more interesting than probably watching Gould making an arse of himself of the park instead of on it.

George Burleys Nephew is a two faced twat.

One thing aboot that program that made ma blood boil was seeing Craig Burley talking fondly aboot the hoops- he disnae make ma blood boil as much as Ian Wright does right enough. His misty eyed recounting of the memory of the only season he won anything in a career cut short through pure laziness and greed.

Now this is a guy who has made his meeja career take off by being anti Celtic. A typical ex-hoop who decides to join the devils disciples. He joins the long list of ex-hoops who have soiled the jersey by taking the fourth estates money and leave all rational thoughts of balanced reporting behind.

Burley left Celtic under difficult circumstances made all the sweeter by a handsome pay off, which for someone so ugly was not deserved. The guys he has the beef wie are no longer involved at CP. But he still carries a chip the size of a morris piper on his shoulder and is hell bent on continuing his personal vendetta against the Hoops.

Nae wonder he wasn’t invited to the snoogle boogle nights. The Scandinavians are smarter than yer average bear and probably saw he was a twat.

Harald The mild mannered Accountant.

Now, I came to the conclusion that Scandinavians were smarter than the average bear after an encounter wie Harald Brattback. Hararld attended a local supporters club dance in the days when the players were forced to attend them, something, which the Celtic minded St Martin’s regime stopped enforcing.

I mean talk to a young pup nowadays and tell them the players you have met at these functions and they will think you were of yer heids on the tonic wine for the whole of yer yoof. Well, maybe I was but…

Harald was doing a wee speech after presenting the supporter of the year trophies and that. After going through the usual player stereotypical speech- big club, pleasure to play at CP, great fans etc- he came oot with a bold prediction.

He said that he would score the goal that would win us the league.

Now looking back, he probably didnae mean it. He was just following the fitbawers code of spoon-feeding the fans. But when that goal went in it didnae stop me telling all in-sundry aboot the prediction long, long long into the night.

Cherrio To Ten In A Row.

Apart from scoring that goal and proving himself to be some sort of white witch Harald and the team will always have legendary status, which looking at the squad is quite funny. David Hannah and Darren Jackson Celtic legends eh?

No matter the merits of the player’s abilities all members of that squad deserve that accolade as they probably stopped this club becoming a Hibs or Hearts. How much damage would have been done if they would have got that figure. The term sleeping giant is used to often in fitbaw but if Harald hadn’t scored that goal we could have sunk. A Man City to a United or an Everton to a Liverpool.

Wonder how many fickle home glory hunters consumers would pollute the seats at CP if that was the case?

Again, when you look at the squad it’s amazing that we ever got away wie it. The squads of the two clubs at the time were like chalk and cheese wie ours being made up of a bunch of vagabonds but I think the fact that we did proves that as a club we are somewhat blessed in those situations.

Centenary season is another blessed situation when again with a no bad side we stopped the money-laundering juggernaut from Govan cause it was written that we were going to do it. 10 in a row? Nae chance oor history and heritage won’t allow it to happen so a group of average players became blessed as is the Celtic way when faced wie the underdog tag.

A know it’s a view that others sneer at. The mythical magic line that we spin is in the cold light of day easy to blowholes in. I mean it’s a game of chance, a game at the wim of market forces and now overpaid players.

But, a wee look back at oor history makes us think different. Never been ones to do things the easy way and we have had a knack of in the face of massive odds pulling oot a result no matter who or what is against us.

This season we have had the blessed penalty save against Man Utd, the only time since I have seen CP go as mental as when Harald scored.

Nostalgia does make you go misty eyed and see things almost in an unreal light. Rubbish games are consigned to the bins and only memories of the victories remain. No one remembers the crap we watch at times during the 97/98 season. We just remember the ending.

Nostalgia also makes you take leave of yer senses and think that other giant killing and footnotes in the history of oor club is just round the corner. That’s why no matter oor form, lack of balance in the midfield, lack of goals from strikers and inability of oor manager to find a solution and a strongest 11 still we believe that we can overcome the economics of the European game.

But then that’s just Celtic…..

Forza the Misty eyed Hoops who are looking back in hope of going forward…..

The LOTW Diary- Hoops 1 Embra Greens 0

2007-02-11T11:35:00.000+01:00

Comfortably Numb

Must admit, that must be the worst game we have had against the Embra greens since Boaby the fat controller Williamson was in charge. No entertainment, lack of quality for the most part and a dearth of chances. But fitbaw is not an entertainment. It’s a sport where spoils are giving for winning and not artistic merit.

No matter what the game lacked it gave us the most comfortable afternoon we have had a against the salt and sauce brigade for years. Maybe if was the street urchins tactics or is the constant selling of players and injuries highlight a lack of depth in reserve. A young side whom despite plaudits- deserved plaudits for style over substance- are the length of the M8 behind us and under Mogga and now Collins they haven’t made a fist of a challenge for 2nd or even third place.

Now, who said ye never win anything wie kids….?

The Beat Goes On

Yesterday saw a strike partnership, which by all arguments pitted together the two players with the worst 1st touches at the fitbaw club. Now while Kenny seems to look anything but a fitbaw player, with his style, which emits the impression a 1 year old wean trying to control a paint brush, 2nd touch a tackle, 1st touch always takes him wide and an uncomfortable body language when the ball is anywhere near- disnae look natural on the ball, it just looks alien to him- the beats while have some of those attributes seems more at ease with it.

The beats looks uncomfortable on the ball, his touches are heavy and sometimes he disnae know what he is doing but the difference is he gets away with it. He seems to have this knack of running into blind alleys and coming oot the other side wie the ball. How many times does he look like he has lost it then is sprinting away from his marker wie the ball? He also has a natural instinct and confidence in himself, which at the moment marks him ahead of Kenny.

Kenny is suffering of the old adage of trying too hard. The beats is just being natural.

Long Load Of Balls

Guy behind me yesterday must have been some player or either that he watches Andy Gray on the final word every Sunday, sky plus it and watches it again. He talked that much shite I had to check the guy sitting next to me jacket to make sure it hadn’t been ruined.

Embra Greens had put five in the midfield. We had two speed merchants upfront against a young defence who were trying to push up. So of course oor centre backs were going to have the opportunity to launch balls into the channels a tactic I expect GS encourage early doors after he realised that oor final ball was going to be missing.

Now most of these balls either where short or too long or didnae find their man but the idea was spot on. Poor performances from oor creative talents lead to this tactic being employed but then for some oor players are not allowed to have an of day.

Pass Marks

The performance only gets pass marks due to the 3 points. If the Embra greens had decided they fancied it they could have took us as only a few players in oor ranks had passable games. While Hartley looks to be an asset he was quiet and his midfield buddy Lenny had a mare.

Aiden, the goal apart, looked rusty, which is understandable as did Mark Wilson. Naka again was the best player on the park but then most of his guid work was done defensively and was nullified for the most part by Hibs tactic of flooding the middle.

Naylor handled the Hibs threat well as did the two centre backs who I don’t think broke sweat the whole game. Up front Miller was forgettable and Beats passable due to his goal.

It was a performance of a team 22 points clear and comfortable with it. Need to step it up over the next few weeks but I think we are capable.

Wilson is the new FFS Telfer

The wag behind me as mentioned earlier gave me the most moronic wagism I heard all day. He was the stereotypical home fan that seems to lurk in the bowls of CP these days. After a another long ball didnae find it’s target he shouted

“Jesus, Telfer that’s shocking, take responsibility and find a pass”

I left this. Just after half time Wilson made a break doon the wing and was un-lucky not to catch the ball before it went oot.

“Unlucky Mark” I shouted

After a few minutes of debating wie his pal the wag came up wie this conclusion….

“Aye, Wilson must have came on at half time”

And Celtic wonder how I want to move seats……

Forza the Hoops who are looking oot their Italian phrase books again….

THE LOTW DIARY

2007-02-09T10:09:00.000+01:00

Aideninho Time

Now that Aiden has decided that he is no Shaun and decided that his formative years are best spent under the tutelage of GS, that’s for sure, and Tommy Burns I wonder if the support will give him a break. Now the lad knows he has a lot to learn as he says

“It was important because, like I said before, I’ve progressed as a player under him and working with him, and that was vital for me staying because I want to keep progressing and I want to become the best player that I can be.”

Nice to hear that. Now I wonder if the boo bhoys and the abusers in the fickle home support will alone his time to develop? Now that he has decided to stay and not do a Shaun wonder if he will be afforded time and a bit of leeway that a 20 year old should get from his own fans.

I sometimes wonder if some give him abuse cause if chose to play for ROI instead of Scotland R*ngers. I mean we have all heard abuse of him from oor ain being just as bad as the smaw minded “people” that frequent the darkest corners of oor away travels.

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

The Lost Tims

Now we should find oot today whether or not we are playing Milano in Italy, Newcastle, Paris, Berlin, Swizterland or timbucktoo. All this has come aboot due to a heid in the sand attitude from the Italian authorites and when forced to act they have done so in the most knee jerk way possible.

I wouldn’t go as far as the Napoli chairman and call the government facists but their decision reeks of panic. Right, I know I have a giud reason- about £340 reasons- for wanting the match played in Milan but the fact of the matter is moving the game gives US ALL a logistical nightmare.

Do Swizterland or France want an invasion of buckied up 30 somethings and also Italian fans who will be desperate to see a game? What will their Polis think of it?

The daft thing is UEFA says the San Siro is safe to hold Champion league matches. The legislation brought in as far as I’m aware is only for domestic games. UEFA won’t want their greatist show being moved from piller to post as it doesn’t look guid. Main thing is AC and Italy stand to lose a lot of money both in sponsership and tourist trade.

Now another thing, say the game gets moved Milan is still going to have a influx of a few thousand Tims who have already booked and decide to go. We will be wandering aboot Milan all day then trying to find a venue to watch the game at night. Surely the Polis would rather have us banged up in the stadium then spread across a vast city.

I’m confident the game will go ahead in Milan as the heidie of the Italian league says

“They’ll stay at the Meazza,” noted Matarrese this evening. “We spoke about it today and it should be possible to play, but things will be verified on Friday. A lot will depend on how things go tomorrow.“[Milan Vice-President Adriano] Galliani and [Inter chief Massimo] Moratti have underlined that they want to play at San Siro – even if that means in front of no fans.”

That’s us sorted then…..

John Angus Paul Collins

Now oor upcoming game against the Embra greens has taken a turn for the nasty after the debacle of the Hunnie twins. Collins is novice when it comes to the management lark. He has fanciful notions, and good, of how the game should be played but over the last few weeks his naivety of being a manger his come to the fore.

Now, it’s all well and guid not wanting to sell yer best players but openly speaking oot aboot it stating that both players are not going anywhere, when yer chairmen is openly punting them to any club that his two shillings and the players agent is massaging his ego by telling all that they are moving.

Either Collins was naïve or he is a sneaky cunning liar. I think the latter as surely Collins know that when yer dealing wie street urchins the artful dodger always wins and Collins himself was not exactly renowned for loyalty and being trustworthy.

When he became the hoops 1st million pound player did he not leave his team in the lurch? Also when he moved on a bosman to Monaco, which Fergus tried to stop by claim Monaco was not in Europe, did he not leave us in the lurch while chasing the French tax-free franc?

John Angus Paul Collins is the original street urchin, the original Broon and Thomson. Hopefully a wee doing is in the offing.

Two’s company, Three is a crowd.

Now while we have striking problems for the game, Deek upfront wie Jaro looking the likely “solution” ahem, the signing of Hartley has added another bow to the mangers team selections headache. Even though we started the season with 9 midfielders we still haven’t found a balance.

Paul Hartley had a quiet debut last week but his drive and energy from the middle of the park added pace to oor counter attacks. Now with Lenny being a stick on starter it’s a straight dogfight between Tommy G and Hartley. Lenny thinks all three can play together

"I don't see why not. It's up to the manager where he fits that in, he may have to change the formation

But changing the formation is not something I see the manger doing, that’s for sure. Tommy G has been frustrating to say the least but deserves for me not to be judged as a failure so far. Glimpses of talent, vision and goals have been seen. Also his best games have been from a deeper role. A role that Lenny has first dibs on.

Now, we all want to see fast, flowing fitbaw through the middle but that dream will need to be put on the back burner while Lenny is still there. Old dug new tricks and that also the fact that there is not a natural replacement for Lenny at the club.

That means that a ying and yang midfield is needed and unfortunately for the “Gravedigga” Hartley is more suited to the role alongside Lenny. Hopefully the “Gravedigga” will hang around long enough as next season I think we will see him in his preferred role with a partner who compliments his idiosyncrasies.

That’s for Sure

Wee game for the weekend. Count how many times oor manager says, “That’s for sure” in press conferences. One thing is for sure, is that he will say those immortal words, that’s for sure.

Guid Luck

Due to the contract disputes and me being a street urchin I won’t be gracing glesga green wie ma presence for the CQN fives. Seven has assembled a band of ringers, semi professional, old professional and professional wasters for a shot at the title.

Group of death has been banded aboot so I expect numerous phone calls regarding injustices, cheating and dodgy ref’s to be taken on Saturday afternoon when I’m in the London Road Tav supping a pint.

Guid luck lads.

Forza The Hoops

The LOTW Diary

2007-02-06T13:15:00.000+01:00

Italia on the Ultra Defensive

The ultras of Italy are running scared if the GIFC are to be believed. Looking at the measures to reduce fighting at the fitbaw it’s more in-likely corrupt Local Authority figures who have been issuing safety certificates for years that should be more worried.

Looks like there pension funds will no longer be topped up by Italian club officials. The heidie of the GIFC says

"We will not allow fans to go into a stadium that does not respect the current safety norms," said interior minister Giuliano Amato.
"In stadia like that of Catania I will not admit anyone, I am firm on this. That game shouldn't have been played.
"Hence, only those stadia that meet the security norms will reopen to the fans, the other stadia will be used to play in but without fans until they meet guidelines."

Now for us, the Milano hoops, it’s scary that the San Siro doesn’t meet safety standards. In fact it’s scary that only 5 grounds in the whole of Italy do. Now reports suggest that the San Siro only needs a lick of paint to meet the requirements but it begs the question how decrepitated are the other stadiums?

Reading reports, some don’t have turnstiles, CCTV is very rare and the clubs take no control over ticket allocation. Also pay on the day gates are commonplace for large volatile games due to the fact that nae bugger goes to the games.

Massive TV deals mean that attendances have been dropping in serie A but that’s no excuse for club officials and local authorities for letting the stadia seep into disrepair. Most stadia are now of early 80’s standard here and according to the ger at ma work Livorno’s stadia was worse than the old Broomfield.

Now while improving the stadia is a start it won’t eradicate the problem. Germany has safe grounds but massive club hooligan problems. England and Scotland while trouble is rare in grounds toon centres up and doon the land still have trouble wie casuals.

Making the stadia safer will help the Italian game as more people will return to games but the problem won’t go away. It will just move elsewhere. The already organised Ultras will find ways to out fox the polis. Bringing Italia stadia into the 21st century is a start but bringing political views and local differences into the 21st century is something Europe has failed to do.

So why should Italia be any different?

Aiden Fients, Dummies and Signs

Enough of those pesky Ultras. Aiden has signed a new contract wie the bhoys who have acted quickly to heid of at the pass another Shaun the Aston Celtic subby situation.
Frainkie MacAvennies love child said

“I’m delighted to agree this new contract with Celtic and commit my future to the club.

"I’ve enjoyed my time immensely with Celtic so far and I’m now looking forward very much to the future and the challenges that lie ahead.”

Love players wie Aiden’s ability. He is the most natural talent we have produced since McStay. He still has a lot to learn but he has progressed leaps and bounds under GS. Trips to the gym seem to part of his training routine and this beefing up has lead to him being a more disciplined player. He has chipped in this season wie a few goals and also a few match winning performances.

Now, him and the Deek may be used as a tag team from now to the end of the season. One starts wears the team doon, then the other comes on and finishes the joab. Two guys with their ability vying for the one spot is great for the club.

Naka, Naka, Naka or Lubo?

But Aiden is not the most creative talent at the club. Naka, Naka oh Naka. After a virtuoso performance at the weekend, when he makes playing fitbaw look so easy and a joy to watch, again the commentators who said he was a luxury, lightweight and one who would disappear when the going got tough got there collective microphones rammed up their arses.

His performance against Livi followed a performance against Dundee Utd a few weeks back which was up there with anything I have seen at CP. He is born to play in the CL as nights like Man U have proved. But a question remains….

Is he better than Lubo?

Lubo maybe never scaled the heights in Europe apart from a master class against Juve when even the Juve fans- and players- applauded him of the park, as Naka has but domestically he has done something Naka hasn’t done yet.

He was a collective pain in R*ngers arse. For the seasons he was here he kept his best for them. The 3-0 at Ibrox with the outrageous dummy in the box then a divine finish. The 5-1 game also. He stepped up to the plate in the heat of the glesga derby. He was also reliable in big games domestically

Something Naka still has to do. Games against Hearts and R*ngers, Naka has sometimes been found wanting. He sometimes disappears in the kick and rush nature of these games. When grabs one of these games by the scruff of the neck then the genius of Nakamura will rank as better than Lubo.

Hopefully he will be around long enough to make me eat may words……

Forza the hoops who are not checking their travel insurance just yet for a refund on plane tickets to Milano

The LOTW DIARY- Livi 1 Hoops 4

2007-02-05T15:24:00.000+01:00

Inversenkie. Bloody Inversenkie. When that gadgie fae the beaks mentioned the dreaded words “Inversenkie at home” ye just knew it was us oot next. All bets were called of regarding who we were going to get.

Last time we played the senkie in the cup was in 2003. What a seven days that was. Beat in the CIS cup in the most dubious circumstances, gave Liverpool a lesson in the UEFA then papped oot on the proverbial by the then lowly senkie.

Rollercoaster of a week that. Lenny says of the last time we travelled to the highlands on cup duty

"I don't have a good recollection of that game. I remember they scored early but in the second-half we bombarded them and Mark Brown had a great game and he keeps reminding me about that.

But I would rather go with GS take on the tie

He said: "Since I've been here they have not beaten us so I can only deal with that history."

Aye but victories don’t tell the whole story. The land of the giants pose problems for us. A tie not for the faint hearted in a week where we play the Sheepies away then Ac Milano at home.
At least, or hopefully we should have strikers going into those round of games. Beats, Magic and Miller should be fit, hopefully JVOH keeps his shooting boots on- 5 in 5 games- and oor ain wee Derek Riordan keeps on deciding that he likes this playing for Celtic lark.

"Derek is doing what we expected, scoring goals," said Strachan. "He is probably the best finisher at the club, but was unfortunate earlier in the season that Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady were doing well in that position. Derek was a good team-mate throughout that period, though, and never brought his problems into the dressing room."

The Deek has now scored 5 goals in 6 games for the hoops. Since he has become a regular starter he has been a goal threat. So much of a goal threat I reckon giving a decent run he is a 20 goals a season man from a wide area. Now that is a great return.

More direct than Aiden he offers another attacking berth to complement the front 2. His more forward offensive positioning stretches defences and it has been proved that his drifting into the back post is certainly working.

What also matters is that he is confident in his own ability and has an arrogance, which radiates when he scores. Yesterday his nonplussed celebration after his 1st goal reeked of gallus-ness. It reeked of “ye see that, that’s what I can do”. It also smelled of a big flick of the “v”’s to his doubters.

His technique is natural. Him and JVOH are natural goal scorers as JVOH strike proved as well. Mind you it was a fantastic ball by the best player in Scotland- tomorrow is Naka Tuesday in the diary- but JVOH shaped his body, made sure he was over the ball to connect without breaking stride and fired it in with pace and accuracy.

Ye see players that look right on a fitbaw park. When they shoot it looks natural and not rushed. Their body language is not forced into doing something they are not natural at. Riordan and JVOH make the game of finishing look easy. While Kenny Millar looks like he struggles in front of goal, Craig Beattie and Magic while I think both are natural finishers they don’t look as comfortable as JVOH and Deek.

It’s a talent and it’s something that doesn’t grow on trees. It easy to see how much we missed JVOH when he was oot, His knockdoon for O’Dea goals was a perfect example of what he gives bar goals. Must admit O’Dea peeled of him like a vintage Henke looking for a Sutty knockdoon right enough. But what is more puzzling is when we were struggling for goals and any sort of threat why was such a natural goal scorer left cooling his boots and getting piles on the bench.

It’s going to be hard for Aiden to get back in. With JVOH being oor only scoring and fit striker Derek needs to play. I wonder if he is up for Milan……..

Forza the Hoops, who are as happy as Hartley……….

THE LOTW DIARY- Saturday

2007-02-03T10:42:00.000+01:00

The news that GIFC have suspended all Italian Fitbaw for the forseeable future is a worrying development. They have taken this action due to crowd trouble at the Sicilian derby between Catania and Palermo. The heidie of the GIFC says

"One day is not sufficient," Pancalli added after proceeding with his threat. "Without drastic measures, we cannot play again.
"We will immediately set up a commission to discuss the situation between sport and politics. It's not possible to carry on like this."

So if we have to wait on Italian justice we could be in for a long wait. Sure a death at a fitbaw match is always tragic but- only recently a PSG fan died - is it worth punishing all clubs? Now the game was between local rivals playing each other in the top flight and also that part of Italian is not renowned for it's, peace loving, easy going locals is it? Yer more likely to get a horses heid in yer bed than a warm welcome.

Does Italian fitbaw really have such a problem wie fitbaw related violence that all games from the top to the bottom have to be banned. Sure in Italy the violence has more to do wie political views- see Palermo and Lazio- and fitbaw is the vehicle that attracts the masses so that is used. But is the problem any worse that German, Dutch, English or Polish?

Now the Rossoneri fans have not got a history of trouble. Unsure of any political leanings they may have but there has been bother at International matches in recent years in the san siro. Heavy handed action like the one taken FIGC just take small problems and fire them onto a grander scale.

The ban won't last, as money talks and uefa will get involved. I fully expect oor game against Ac to go ahead but any chance of us getting more tickets, or being allowed freely to mingle wie the Ac fans in the home end may have just be compromised.

A wee hoop on loan in Greenock is looking forward to proving himself to GS. Paul McGowan aka Gowser has impressed at the Ton and recently signed a new deal wie the hoops. The boy says

"I've learned a lot coming here and earned myself a new two-year contract at Celtic. Playing against top teams like Motherwell and Kilmarnock is experience I couldn't have got playing at Celtic reserves.

Good luck today wee man, as it's yer duty to beat Motherwell as we don't really like them.

Now, Gowser might find himself winging back to the homeland as Aiden McGeady now is injured, Craig Beattie is always injured, Magic is in the huff and Kenny Miller is, well , just Kenny.

With Livingston tomorrow and Clyde still fresh in oor collective minds GS says.....

"There were some good players involved in the Clyde game, by the way: Neil Lennon, Roy Keane and John Hartson. So the warning is there for us."
"It wasn't a good time, but as I said immediately after that game, all we could do to make ourselves feel better was get good results. Since then, we have put a lot of results together to make us feel a bit better about ourselves."

By the sounds of it i would expect a strong line up. I also think he is expecting one of the injured strikers to return. Canny see another Clyde but..with a new defender making his debut and again it being live on Sky its kinda a groundhog day feeling.

Hope not,

Forza the Hoops who need to be over cautious tomorrow and play a strong team...... or whoever is fit

THE LOTW DIARY

2007-02-02T13:16:00.000+01:00

May as well start wie wee GS take on Hartley….

"He has everything. Energy, goals, personality. You can't ignore that and once we found out we had a chance of buying him, there was no hesitation. He was actually the first guy I tried to sign when I joined Celtic but the price wasn't right at the time. It didn't materialise then, so I wasn't going to turn a blind eye to it this time. We first put things in motion a couple of days ago, oblivious to what was happening elsewhere. It made no difference to us who else we signed, Paul was always going to be a target."

Well, that was like getting beaten wie a big stick after I called the signing an “after thought”. But still if he was that much of a target why wasn’t he contacted until Wednesday morning, the day after Thommogate?, when he has been available for weeks?

Anyway, the fact that Hartley had a shave for the press conference yesterday, takes years of him, don’t ye think? And that he said some nice things like…..

"I'm a Celtic supporter, there is no hiding that. Everyone knows that. To play for the team you supported as a boy really is a dream come true. It's still not really sunk in yet that I'm here. "I couldn't sleep last night, just thinking about turning up for training this morning as a Celtic player. I was first in the dressing room this morning, I was so excited.

also

"When they made a bid for me a few years ago and it was rejected, I was on a bit of a downer. I had handed a transfer request in at Hearts. I did think it had passed me by, but I'm grateful to the manager for having faith in me, seeing I'm a good player and bringing me here. Now I have to repay him and the supporters by showing what I can do.

Aww aint that nice. A few weeks back i called him ma most hated Hearts player. The way he looked, played and optimised the “people”, ahem, he represented. His over the top celebrations in every game and the fact he looked like he loved beating us. Heard rumours that he was a tim but never believed it. But then he was a professional, giving his all for the club who paid his wages.

Something not to be sneezed at. Now we can expect him to give more and by his quotes he will give us more. He wants to win things as a Celt and his 2 and a half year to do it. Also he will take the heat of Lenny at Tynie and the Brox.

Now, i maybe called him an after thought but....i do think he will be a cracking signing. His enegry, dynamic style of play, aggression and creativity will bolster oor midfield options. He can play through the middle or wide and is experienced so no bedding in time required.

In fact he could add balance to the midfield and could be the missing link. The link we were willing to spend a few million more on from the Embra Greens. He is an older and more experienced Scott Brown. He is less of a gamble than Scott Brown and also cheaper. Oh, and his loyalties can never be called into question.

The signing of Hartley now negates any reason to go back to Hibs for Brown. We should withdraw from the race altogether and not allow Hibs, Petrie and Collins- whom i'm becoming to dislike immensely- to shaft us again. Take oor money elsewhere and allow someone else to pay over the odds for him.

But if GS fancies him then, which i think he does, then we will be in when the bidding start.

Also, the chance to once again take a star player from the nastiest support in Scotland and watch them slip into Fc Kanus of Embra is too guid to resist a wee laugh.

Ha Ha.

Sorry aboot that.

Anyway, bad news aboot a Celtic legend. Big Chris Sutty could be forced to retire due to getting a kick in the heid against Man Who recently.

St Martin of O'Neill who likes a bosman said....

"Sutton is seeing a specialist again but his progress has been slow, very slow.
"Since the Manchester United game his eyesight is still blurred and they think it will take time, just to heal naturally.
"He said to me if his other eye was like that he'd be in a spot of bother.
"It does sound like the Paul Scholes situation. He's been a big miss for us.
"He wants to come back and do some light training, to keep his fitness up, but non-contact. He certainly wouldn't be able to drive at the moment."

Not guid news. Hope the big fellow a quick recovery and a wee trip back to paradise to pick ma ticket oot the windfall bucket.

Oh, remember and get yer Ac Milan home tickets, Got mine this morning robbing gits charged me £2.80 booking fee. Times that by 30 or 40 thousand and that's a lot of extra dosh. But, hey, we are consumers not fans eh?

Forza the Happy Hoopy Hoops who Paul Hartley is the happiest hoopy hoop of all this weekend.

THE LOTW DIARY

2007-02-01T12:59:00.000+01:00

Listening to Radio Tuecther's "Thru the Windae" program last night a sudden thought went through ma mind. I t was the thought that i was listening to a bunch of old farts reading oot rumours picked up of message boards and e-mithered to them.

Nae truth behind any of them but they were reading them and discussing them because sod all was happening. Absolute nano. Nothing. Business had been done and bar the Shaun Maloney deal nothing interesting was happening.

Now Maloney, we ended up getting a million quid, but this doesn't end ma questioning of the sharp suited pokerfaced man. In the fact it wasn't much of a gamble his brokering wie St Martin. I mean look at the contracts Martin gave oot at the Tic, WE all knew he would give us the dosh we were looking for.

Martin says aboot Shaun....

"Shaun is a conscientious lad and a very good player. What he lacks in height he makes up for in ability and character," said O'Neill. "He did very well for Celtic before and after I left and I am sure he will be a good acquisition."

Now, i hold no grudge against Martin. He knows the game and how it works. He saw a decent player that will improve his squad and offered him an acceptable contract. He won this battle but will lose others. Its the nature of the bosman.

All this wanting Shaun to fail and wanting Martin hung, drawn and quartered for what is seen a treason is nonsense. It's all doon to the fact we have lost a player and oor squad is worse of for it. The same as Stan P who has never been replaced- we signed two players to replace him and none have proved up to the joab yet- and oor performances this season have proven this. We are worried the loss of Shaun will bring the same.

The squad has been weakened all for the lack of a few dollars more.

I hope Shaun has every success as it will reflect well on oor youth system. Not too much though as Aiden could be next for a saga.....

But it's always a view of a fan to dismiss when players don't react the way we want them to. Same wie the Hibee (hunnie) twins.

Guid players before but now over priced- correct- and raw talent. There is better oot there. Even if we had signed them i would have said there is better out there but GS wanted them badly. He saw them as oor future. The fact we haven't got them hurts us due to the fact that they see oor rivals as maybe a better option. Or the r*ngers option has been sold to them better.

Selling a club is doon to the sharp suited man.When we can't match the money on offer elsewhere the gift of the gab should come in to play and East Kilbride should sound as great as the costa del sol. When contract and deal talks are on-going it's up to him to make oor club seem the best place in the world. In this window he has failed to come up trumps with any of the main targets set by the management and was left only with a get it right up ye deal to get one over oor rivals.

No-one can tell me if any one of oor main midfield targets- Broon, Thomson and the bhoy from Basle-had been signed then Hartley would be wearing the Hoops. His signing reeked of panic and brinkmanship not the longtermism that oor main targets had.

Stokes, Broon, Thomson and the bhoy from Basle were wanted but the suited man failed to deliver. It's no matter saying well we won't pay over the odds, which we shouldn't, but the suited man failed on the hard sell and now the transfer windae can be viewed as a failure due to the same man quoting after the CL draw that they would back the manager to the hilt.

Those can say that we didnae need to spend anything due to the fact that we won't beat Milan and we will win the double with the squad we have. Maybe they are correct but the plain facts are the club wanted to strengthen in this windae.

They felt that we needed some new faces who were part of the long term view. The signings of that have been made only one doesn't smell of being bought for cover only. Even then he was an after thought due to us being shafted by Hibs, Wullie McKay and R*ngers.

So we will have to go with what we have and hope the coaching staff get the balance right.

Forza the slightly less fraught hoopy hoops

THE LOTW DIARY

2007-01-31T13:59:00.000+01:00

We all know ma feelings on this transfer windae rubbish and the fact that this type of frenzied activity makes, us the fans, like rabid dugs on heat. It also makes usually reliable sites make bold predictions, which in turn are so wide of the mark they are almost like a Fillip Sebo shot.

At least wie ma Ross Tokely prediction Seven admitted he had sold me a dozzie. I don’t try to pass it off as some guy wie inside knowledge I meet doon the pub told me.

Now lets get on to the pressing issue of the Hoops being made fools of by Wullie McKay, Hibs, Kevin Thomson and worst of all r*ngers.

Now all the insiders claim for months that he would sign for the hoops either in the summer or in Januray. Their agent stated that Celtic were talking to Hibs and Thomson was quoted as saying he wanted to join the Hoops. Until yesterday when he said this at the lions dens

Smelly Thomson said

"I believed he was acting in my best interest because he had told me Rangers didn't want me and Celtic were the only club who wanted to sign me.
"I don't want to get dragged into details or get caught up in a row about this but I do want Rangers fans to know that for years this is the club I wanted to be at.

Now this deal and standoff has reeked from the start. Ever since Mr McKay (who should be banned like every other agent from CP) started his public flogging of his wears since the middle of December. It reeked of self interest and that he would have sold to the highest bidder no matter if it meant selling to the devil, which in the end he did.

John Collins stance was even more stranger and his quote today of

"I have been fully involved in the discussions and I am happy that our valuation has been matched for the player

Does this mean that Collins is just as devious as a manager as he was in his own self-interest loving way when he was a player? I mean he was adament that the players were going nowhere, were you lying John?

Also big questions need to be asked aboot Peter Lawell role in this. He played Celtic’s hand very early doors. Made it known via the player’s agent that we were interested and sat wie his best pokerface on. This time his gambled failed and he gave the mint and r*ngers there 1st win in years over us.

You can go on aboot us not wanting to meet the price etc and all the other spin that’s going on but the fact is GS saw Kevin Thomson as part of his long term plans. Our public chase is testament to that. The fact is oor plans have to change due to Lawell’s blundering.

Lawell is seen as some sort of esteemed big time poker player, not blinking in the face of danger. Yesterday I think he made a major blunder, which has allowed r*ngers to deliver a body blow to the hoops. When hibs offered Thomson to us I’m sure his short shrift to the offer was in the belief that we would get the player in the summer. Belief borne from the player’s agent’s musings more probably.

This allowed oor main rivals the chance to steal a long-term target from us because Lawells ego has maybe got too big. Has he had too many successful deals go his way and did he think like most gamblers that his winning streak wouldn’t end?

But it did and Hibs, the player and the player’s agent shafted him. He gave Murray the chance to get one over on us when maybe if we had backed down the player would have ended up at us.If we were willing to pay £4 million for both what’s the difference of £2 million for one when yer manager has made it clear he wants him? I for one don’t believe the players quote. He was just happy to escape Hibs.

Now this is not the 1st time his gamble has failed. The pull on the heart string token offers to Anthony Stokes and now Shaun Maloney have shown that like the mint before him Lawell is now on a massive losing streak one that he is a matter of hours to repair.

A losing streak that may see us panic buy from the other side of Embra, a losing streak which by midnight tonight could push a feel guid factor just over to the other side of the river. A losing streak, which undermines the posturing aboot us strengthening before oor last 16 tie.

I mean oor business so far has been in the bargain basement and stopgap supermarket. Not up there wie a club who a serious aboot making in-roads in Europe.

I’m just hoping that if there is more gambling going on it comes off. Cause if not we are going to look very very foolish indeed.

Over to you Peter……

Oh, and guid luck to Shaun short arse Maloney in his new career. Last week I made ma feelings clear aboot the wee fellow and the choice he made and today proved both.The board maybe didn’t see that keeping him would maintain a quality in the squad and he maybe didnae feel the club wanted him enough. Oh and all fibawers are selfish and uninterested in the feelings and wims of you and me.

Wonder if Shaun has ever spoke to John Collins?

But in true fickle fitbaw fan fashion hope ye enjoy life in the middle of the road EPL mate, nice wee seat on the bench and a kings ransom to spend. But ma memory of ye will be you skying the ball in the last minute of the UEFA cup final extra time ye wee bottler……..:-)

Forza the fraught hoops……

The LOTW Review- Inverness 1 Celtic 2

2007-01-29T13:40:00.000+01:00

Start of with GS views of the “game”

"There was a lot going on but not a lot of good football," he continued after
the 2-1 victory.
"We got disrupted three times because of injuries and it's
not easy to change your plan three times.
"We had to handle an exuberant,
frantic Inverness side and we handled it.
"If we're lucky, we're lucky. But
our goalie didn't have too many saves to make.
"But the players are very
quiet because they know they've let themselves down with their performance
level."

Think his view that there was not a lot of guid fitba was an understatement. These types of games would get the beautiful game stopped. What pains us more is the oor “team 2” seems to be the masters are terrible performances but decent results.

Obliviously the fact that we have a better quality of player helps. All it takes is one moment as per yesterday for quality to tell. Whether it’s Naka, Tommy G, McGeady or JVOH we always will have quality to dig us oot a hole.

But it’s risky to put yer money on this happening all the time. It will come back and bite you on the arse one day.

Yesterdays performance was so reminiscing of Martin’s last season in charge not much fitba or skill but pure determination. The fact is, we expect so much more from oor team makes it all so galling. Where is the team that destroyed the eagles from Lisboa at home wie a performance from the top drawer?

Right, we always struggle in Inversenkie. It has become the new Rugby Park for us. A place we always don’t play well and get undone. Yesterday was no different. Inversenkie deserved to beat us and you have to feel sorry for them.

Two costly mistakes let us leave the north wie 3 points when it looked like it was going to be 2 dropped. In fact oor only shot on goal in the second half was the winning strike.

Oor performances recently, apart from 2nd half at Tynie and CP last week, have given weight to the argument that we are no great shakes and only the fact that Hearts are self-destructing and Scotland B are in transition is the ONLY reason we are so far in front.

I will disagree with that as winning games playing poorly is the reason the vocal away support sang, “That’s why we’re Champions” at the final whistle. That’s the reason we are unbeaten for many eons. But performances like yesterday do give us reason to doubt the ability of the coaching staff to get a performance from the team.

Only Arfur, JVOH and Riordan got pass marks. The only reason the 2 outfield goal scorers got them is because the scored. Riordan again proved he has the natural instinct of a penalty box striker wie a perfectly timed run into the box.

His two league goals have been similar. He is more natural playing a bit further forward in a wider position than the other vying for that place. His instinct is to score goals and if he gets a run of games then I would expect an impressive haul in goals from the peroxide one.

JVOH had a frustrating day. Man handled by the inversenkie defence all day without any protection from Mr Brines the big fellow was having a game not to put in the scrapbook.

He then produced a moment of quality that you get when you spend 5 million euros. A sweet volley and a sweet but costly celebration. Right, letter of the law he had to go but Brines had it in for the Dutchman all game.

Never once did he get a decision his way when battling for long aimless balls. The Inversenkie defenders were let away with murder and the big man 1st booking came, apart from being a shocking decision, from frustration at an unproductive afternoon.

His suspension is going to be a loss. With us now looking thin strike wise with injuries to the beats(again) and Miller, Riordon could get his run upfront sooner than he thinks.

All in it was a forgettable afternoon. GS even confounded ma puzzlement even more when Jaro came on for the injured Miller when the game was crying out for a bit of pace to get in behind the Inversenkie defence as they were handling the long aimless balls we were humping easily.

But in the history books it will be recorded as a win. Only another 5 wins required to win the league. Suppose it was not a bad weekend eh?

Forza the Hoops

“It’s The Quiet Ones That Kill Yer Friends”

2007-01-26T13:58:00.000+01:00

Fairly quiet week on the old tic front his week. No box office signings, no sign of the diminutive Shaun signing the contract on offer, a loan shark signing and again the meeja focusing on Wallies tartan revolution without questioning motives or signings.

Makes trying to have a rant or an opinion or a comment difficult a bit like a musician getting writers block this blogger has news block and opinion block.

May as well start wie the new bhoy on the block that we have sign defensive cover, albeit only on loan, in the shape of Jean Joel Perrier Doumbe (JJPD) from Rennes. The Cameroon international can play either right or left back but again confusion surrounds due a dubious claim from his agent Mr McKay that he played in two world cups.

Certain sites and contributors have poured scorn on this, me, I canny be arsed researching if it’s true or not the professional lay aboot that I am. I’m not to bovered if he has or has not; it’s what he does in the next few months that bother me.

While hardly a signing to set the heather on fire and have us sing hosanna’s from the rooftops we need cover in those areas and we have a short-term solution.

He must have impressed in the trial for GS to give him a short contract and the fact that we have 1st dibs on him in the summer may prove to be a guid thing if he proves to be any guid.

Downside is that Mario Melchiot, the ex chelski and Birmingham bombscare has kept him oot the Rennes side this year. Also the fact that he seems to have maybe missed our vast scouting network, hence the trial and only a short contract.

As ma maw say’s it all will come oot in the wash.

Another great bit of news was on the John F Kennedy front as the big fellow played a full 90 mins against an Ayr Utd cloggers select at Somerset Park. Now, we seem to be thinking the big fellow could return to the player he was and that a return could be sooner than we think.

I canny see him being rushed back in. The boy O’Dea has probably saved GS from having that thought and the signing of Elvis has probably now mean’s that JFK should be looking to a decent pre-season wie the 1st team and pushing for a place next season.

At the start of next season we will or could have Bobo, Caldwell, Elvis, Mick, Kennedy, O’Dea all vying for two spots. And that’s not counting on GS not signing anyone else, which he might do as do any of the above have the European quality we require in that position?

Now wee Shaun Maloney has been the debate of much wailing and gnashing of teeth this week. The wee fellows supposed refusal to sign the deal we have on the table and his agent refusal to appear round the parkheid coffee table for talks, tea and custard creams has got us all in a fizz.

I read article last night about Jean Marc Bosman the man who changed fitba forever cause he never got a move to a French 2nd division mob. Unlike others who followed, Bosman is skint and living on the broo in Belgium. The article paints a picture of a bitter man who in desperation allowed the said publication to publish his bank account details so if any rich fitbawers wanted to donate some of their pickings to him then they could.

Players and clubs benefit from this ruling players get rich and clubs get guid players without paying a fee. It works both ways. Except from a fans perspective the player always looks the greedy one.

But, if Shaun decides to leave why should we begrudge him? He owes us nothing just the same way that we owe oor employers nothing if a better offer came along. Shaun is just looking after himself in the usually post bosman selfish fitbawers way. The law says what he is doing nothing wrong but the ruling has allowed the evil of agents to turn young boys heids when contracts are up from renewal.

Now maybe Maloney, believes, or has been told, that he should be in the top earner bracket at CP. ONE decent season, which saw him blossom into the player he threatened to be followed by an injury hit follow up probably suggests differently.

I don’t know nada of what wages the players are on, only what you and me read by supposed guys in the know on the net. But I would suspect that Maloney has asked for £1 million a year basic but Celtic as per the line cast by PL will offer below that but bonuses will maybe take him above that figure.

Now if Shaun is a gambler then he might take this offer on the prospect of earning above his basic year in year oot if he believes the club is going to give him that opportunity. Then again he might see the less risky option of taking an EPL clubs money, which guarantee’s him probably over and above his wanted basic.

Another factor is the Aiden and Riordon factor. Maloney is not guaranteed a game every week now. The fact that he is thinking of not signing has left a lot of Celtic supporters un perplexed due to the presence of these two peroxide upstarts.

I hate it when we lose players that come through the ranks. It is like a knife in the heart to me. I think we fail the club when a young player leaves as he thinks he has better options elsewhere. Usually they go one to do nothing- Liam Miller being the prime example or regrets leaving like Stan P.

Now while I agree Shaun shouldn’t be in the top earners a deal should be on the table to keep this talented wee bugger at the club. The bonus and incentives should be so great that he should believe he should achieve them. If Celtic have undersold the wee man and made a pitch at you know you really want to stay heart strings than more fool them.

Dirty cash talks.

But if the wee man leaves we have cover in his area whom are probably on lesser wages than he requires. So it’s really a case of great if you stay but if you leave don’t let the door hit your arse on the way oot.

Och, was going to mention inversenkie at the weekend but lunchtime is up. So ma preview of the inversenkie game is they are a big team who gie us a hard game:-) and it will be cauld.

For a week wie no news I certainly waffled on……..

Forza The Hoops

A Window Of Chance

2007-01-23T14:04:00.000+01:00

So as this transfer windae drags and drags with seemingly oor board having short arms and deep pockets it gives you time to have a look at the posturing and posing going on.

Now, teams know other teams are desperate to strengthen or freshen up in their fight against relegation or their quest for a holy grail. Some teams have just changed managers and they new men are trying to stamp their style on their new charges or in some cases return them to an “aye ready” west of Scotland refuge for the ugly and under privileged.

Boards, agents and managers are playing games of poker all up and doon the country with those who don’t have the bottle paying over the top fee’s in their desperation.

West Ham and Charlton in England seem to the main offenders with the reported £70,000 a week the hammers have paid for hatchet man Lucas Neil almost sheer folly.

Oor own St Martin now has cash to burn and even he has been caught up in the melley. At Aston Celtic wie a randy Americans money he is throwing money at the glory hornet boys for an untested 21 year old. I’m glad to see he still has the transfer target list he had at the hoops wie the capture of John Carew from Lyon. Expect a bid for Dwight Yorke at 11.50pm on Jan 31st Villa fans.

Up north the main stooky seems to be aboot whether or not Hibs will let the Hibee Two, The Hibee Twins or the bloody Proclaimers leave this month. Their manager is adamant that they are not going anywhere while his chairmen is strangely maybe more markedly silent.

Now for me John Collins has a cheek. He walk oot on the Easter Road club to further his career then made a fortune being one of the first hootsmen to take advantage of Bosman when leaving us.

For him to bleating and making big noises is like bit like Jock McConnell saying he disnny like a local income tax when 15 years ago he backed a plan for a local income tax.

Collins should know what these players are going through. The last two games Kevin Thomson has been subbed at half time after below par performances. Interesting enough the other twin hasn’t been touched. Does this mean that Thommo wishes a move more or is it just affecting him more?

Wie the players agent coming oot and saying we are talking to Hibs wie regards signing them- dinny trust that McKay though- and the Hibs chairmen silent on the whole affair it makes you wonder if Collins bombast is all hot air and he is already looking forward to a couple of million spend in the summer.

If it goes through it would be a major outlay for us. So far we have got a bosman- Elvis- a Cameroon left back for a nominal fee and have bid just over £100,000 for a 16 year old who today was compared to Mo J*hnston by the original agent orange McMurdo.

The amount of team’s interest in James McCarthy is frightening. Already been on trial at the pool, wie the Chelski heid tapper upper saying he is the most talented 16 year old he has seen in years- is the 1st division really that guid a yard stick to say? - with others stating that his progress is far above his years.

Now how was this fellow missed and he ended up at Hamilton is one question and again its 1st division cloggerville. A journeymen’s dream of a league where the kicks are free.

I think Celtic are hoping to pull on the heart strings- well he has chosen to play for the Republic over Scotland and he looks like Pearo’s younger better looking brother- but is this going to be it?

Is oor transfer windae going to be full of false hope, nominal fees and buying for the future? Are we going to lose the Scottish player of the year to Fulham, as we won’t go up a couple of grand?

By the 31st of Jan these questions should be clearer. Transfer windaes are no guid and should be scrapped. Too much pressure for the powers at be and clubs in trouble both on and off the park. If you have dosh you should be able to spend it when you want. If you need to sell someone then you should be able to when you want.

It would end this fretting up and doon the country. But one thing for sure, by the end of this one we should know if the rumours of the board backing GS to the hilt were true or not.

At the moment they are distinctly in the not category.

Forza The Hoops

A Panda, An Ogre, A Hat Trick And Sno…..

2007-01-21T13:26:00.000+01:00

Even though it was Baltic yesterday the majority of tic supporters left the freezing breeze block -, from ma seat in the gods glesga looked mair like an eastern block industrial country wie a permanent darkness and glumness last seen since I visited Grangemouth- unwelcoming stadium that CP resembled yesterday, we left with a spring in oor step and a hope in oor heart.

I mean, can Kenny Miller get to 10 league goals this season? Nah, we left in guid spirits as we saw a performance, we saw loads of chances created, we saw 5 goals but most of all I think we saw the worth of two players whose injury records make Phil O’Donnell’s look guid.

Craig Beattie had 3 chances to score in the 1st 15 minutes. He ended the game having 4 clear-cut chances and 2 assists and in general a performance that makes you wish his hammies widnae snap so often. Right, his 1st touch is only slightly better than Kenny Miller but he seems more, somehow direct than Kenny. He is a naturally better goalscorer than Miller.

Gone also is the gangly frame and the bandy legged-ness that troubled his early hoops career. He is now barrel chested and a bit desperate Dan like in appearance wie his 2 days growth and unkempt hair. He has went from a bhoy to a man- along with Aiden who has bulked up as well, but he is morphing into Frank McAvennie the older he gets- and this is guid news for us.

We know that he is injury prone. That was one of the main reasons that most of us would have been quite happy to get rid. We knew had had some sort of ability but playing a quarter of the season is no guid to man or champions. Lets hope his troubles are behind him.

Now did big JvoH score a perfect hat trick? One wie the heid, right footed from the pen then left footed from the beats cut back? But does the pen- soft pen but what aboot the stone waller we didnae get? - count? For it to be a perfecto hat-tricko do all 3 have to be from open play? Big fellow was a handful all day against a poor defence. We need him though. 10 goals he has scored now think his record is aboot one every two games.

With Milan coming up it was nice to see a partnership with an understanding. The beats stayed close to the big fellow at all times, while others that have been tried seem to leave the width of the Clyde between them and big Jan. Again the beats uncanny knack of finding acres of space in the channels- helped maybe by the Paisley panda’s 3 at the back- is always a useful weapon of choice.

A weapon of choice that Tommy G was glad to see yesterday.

Tommy G patrolled an area no bigger than 25 yards yesterday. He play yesterday reminded me of the old timer, the guy who played at a higher level but now has let himself go and drinks in yer boozer. After a few pints he agrees to turn oot for the pub team on the Sunday morning.

After a few fags he takes to the pitch looking unkempt, rough and decides to no do much running but stay in the middle of the pitch using his reading of the game. But he runs the game due to his vision and passing ability. He disnae need to leave the centre circle for the whole game. Hell, he disnae even break sweat before retiring back to the bar for an afternoon sesh.

Now, while Tommy G is not overweight, unkempt or lacking work rate and his disciplined performance yesterday, in a deeper role, that was the perfect canvas for his talent. His long range passing was a joy, his short range passing was spot on and his ball retention was guid.

He was like a conductor at the Albert Halls wearing Dorothy red boots.

He had to willing runners right enough in Aiden, Naka and the beats to get on the end of his inch perfect long balls. His short to mid range balls were worthy of Tiger Woods wie a pitching wedge. Have we found his role? When the sno man decided to get in on the act the bite lacking when Jaro was there it looked balanced.

But still that midfield is ok when we had the ball. It’s ok when we having willing runners. When we lose the ball it sits too deep and disnae like a tackle. Sno added a bit of bite but for his presence still tackles like a ballerina.

When Lenny returns and if Tommy G sits where he sat yesterday they will get in each other’s way. For us to get the best out of Tommy G it seems playing him deeper could be an answer. But then for us to get the best out of Naka we have to play him in the centre.

Too many cooks and not a big enough kitchen seem to be the problem. But it’s a great problem to have and it’s GS problem to find the solution. Two performances in two games without Lenny in the middle of the park

For me two weeks in a row a centre midfielder was the best player on the park both due to their creative talent. Over to you GS……

FORZA THE HOOPS

Tommy, Twists and Tommy Turns

2007-01-19T10:17:00.000+01:00

So Tommy Burns has bailed oot on the SFA. The Scottish national team joab is looking more and more like an outpost for the unwanted and the unemployable. After the defection, but understandable according to the meeja, of the cardie and the fat playboy was meet with howls of traitor from the Tartan Army rank and file and also some sections of the meeja I wonder how Tommy twists, turn will be viewed.

Again it could be viewed that the pull of his 1st love was too great. He has something tangible to achieve at the hoops in his role as 1st team coach and his hand in the youth development program. Success in that field is his legacy something that he will be remembered for. It’s an exciting time to be a member of Celtic’s future, with Bobby Lennoxtoon coming on, and the liniment announcement of the Hibs boy joining up as heid scout.

TB seems to enjoy the hands on role that he gets with Celtic. He also seemed to enjoy the hands on role he had with Scotland. The fact he had the same role for 5 years and was overlooked for the main joab has had a bearing on his decision.

When Smith took over he turned to Burns once again to be a steadying influence in the dressing. Smith brought in the fat playboy as “striking coach” and Burns kept his assistant management role. Now when result started going oor way the meeja- more recently evidently- have laid the praise at the cardies and the fat playboy’s door.

They all over looked Burns part in this rejuvenation.

Even when the joab came up-and most other associations would have offered it to a man with Burns experience right away- the SFA talked of short lists other candidates and straight away the meeja launched a campaign to install the unemployable Big Feck- back by Sir beetroot face himself- in the post.

So it proved to be the final straw. Or maybe he seen the writing on the wall and doesn’t want to be associated wie Big Eck’s sinking ship of dignity.

But all in I’m glad he is still at CP. He is a vital cog in oor youth system. His loss would have been a hammer blow while the “baldy monk” loss was just a ripple on the water. While questions can be raised aboot his ability as a manager his reputation as a coach is second to none and we are lucky to have such a talented Celtic legend overseeing oor youths.

Tommy twists and Tommy Turns leaving the SFA looking like the naïve, clueless fools they are. If only Tommy Gravesan could do the same to SPL midfields……..

FORZA CELTIC

The Changing Men

2007-01-17T14:34:00.000+01:00

Over the last 8 or 9 months the landscape of the Scottish fitbaw has changed both on and off the park with changes that even a decade ago would have seen them laughed at like Jade Goody. These changes go against what some call oor traditions, heritage and ethos of oor great club, which maybe in a way is correct but are these changes just a sign of the times.

Off the park the Jock McConnell bandwagon has stepped up a gear wie the banning of a number of travelling hoops for singing political tunes, something, allegedly, Mr O’Connell knows a thing or two aboot. Now the fact that this change has been widely welcomed by some and the fact that even the hardliners voice has been quieting doon recently shows a change in the thinking of the rank and file.

The board have been very quiet on this issue. Only statements praising the guid behaviour have been issued to a wider audience but at CP, I think, behind the scenes the board are working on a hidden agenda to rid CP of what they term undesirables- no not of the Boyd and Fergie type.

Heavy handed stewarding in recent home games and a rumour that only “Celtic”- how they define that will be an interesting- flags will be allowed in the ground. Depending on how they define “Celtic” flags then it could mean that the Irish tricolour that many supporters clubs- mines included- use as their banners could well find themselves outlawed.

Do the ethos, tradition; heritage and political stance of the club not sit nicely alongside the sharp suited men’s business plan? Does the fact that the support plays the Irish roots card more than a Scottish club card not sit well with them? Wonder DD thinks of this if it is the case.

Or do they know that oor support demographic has changed so much that these changes will get met with minimal resistance?

Maybe the diluting of the hardcore Celtic values over the years has attracted players to us from un-Celtic backgrounds. We now have three ex r*ngers players in oor 1st team squad and all have been afforded a guid reception.

Beattie was only a youth team player at the brox- one of the more highly rated ones- when the little general decided to go Dutch. A visit from TB and Wullie McStay convinced him and his r*nger loving family that CP was the best place to get one over on them.

Kenny Miller while only a bit part at Snake Mountain is another who has been received well by the support. Granted, he is not everyone’s cup of tea but his performances in the early part of his tic career made people see Kenny Miller as a player not Kenny Miller an ex r*nger.

The biggest one of all is big Elvis. Both parties wouldn’t have considered this move years ago. Again while there was a lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth it wasn’t over the fact he was an ex beastie. No it was all over his ability and oor ambition by the fact we were thinking of signing him.

All three of the above wouldn’t have considered signing for us in the 80’s or even the 90’s. Oor club has changed beyond recognition since those days. One big factor is the fact that we are now the biggest club in Scotland. Players look at their career and see CP as a great place to further it and make money no matter what their boyhood allegiances.

The fact that the above 3 have been welcomed by oor support will not deter any one from a r*ngers background signing for us. Hell, maybe that just shows that we follow the ethos of being an inclusive club. As when you think aboot it we have always had guys from a non- Celtic background in the team.

Our maybe the influx of ex-r*nger men just shows that the fitbaw world in the west of Scotland has changed so mach that us as a support will accept anyone to pull on the famous hooped jersey just as long as it brings prolonged success.

Could be a bit of both, oor support especially at home is split between glory hunters and old guard, I just know that when I started going to the old CP I never expected to see the day when 3 ex-r*nger players where playing for the hoops and one has captained us.

The times they have a changed.

The Beat Goes On.......

2007-01-15T14:05:00.000+01:00

Well, that was great telly. Looked doon and oot and struggling to find any form then bang, bang back in the game. For a moment I thought the boy Nixon was going to win the darts after being 6-0 doon but it was a bridge too far and the bad guy won. Unlike at the castle of swine where the guid guys won after looking doon and oot.

We actually had a where were you moment yesterday. No, it wasn’t Elvis- more of him latter- being the capitaino of the hoops and creating history being the 1st ex-r*nger to have that honour, maybe it should have been Arfur right enough? but 5 minutes in Jaro made and won a tackle. It was against Hartley too, which made it all the better as since we now have Elvis Hartley is ma least favourite Hearts player.

I like Craig Gordon and he seems to like us. I mean how many howlers is he going to have against us? Scotland’s numero uno likes a flap against us and yesterday was no different. I just hope no Arsenal scouts were watching as the game yesterday probably saw their two targets to replace the nutty German against each other.

Unfortunately for us the Pole in the goal came oot of it wie more credit than Gordon. Arfurs double save just before half time kept us in the game in spite of the Telfmiesters best efforts. His mis-hit clearance wie his left foot then had to attempt a Brazilian like overheid, bicycle volley scissor kick to clear the baw.

Amazingly he did it.

2-0 doon at half time would have been curtains. It also would have been an undeserved margin as the 1st half was terrible for both teams wie the jambos only slightly better after some wee Lithuanian puppet hit an arsehole winder that ended up in the back of the net.

Then, unsure what happened at half time, we started the 2nd half all the better. Then came the beats. Straight away he began to stretch the creaking jambos backline with his canny ability to find space in the channels and directness compared to Magics nambie pambie fumblings.

The midfield had an oot ball instead of, like the majority of the 1st half, having no options, which ended up us losing possession and bring the maroon hoards back on top of us. Sno began to look like player, a slight resemblance to Regi Blinker, right enough, if Regi had been in a grow bag, with his promptings, turns, flicks and creative output probably made him have his most productive game in the hoops.

He still loses the ball in bad areas- is there any guid place to lose the baw right enough- and the Hearts goal came from him marauding doon the wing and losing possession trying a ronaldinho esq stepover. At 19 he gave a 2nd half performance of someone older than his years. Stood up and was counted.

In the 2nd half Even the frustrating ogre from Madrid stopped committing fouls and decided to pass to guys in the black and green stripes. Tommy G ran aboot without much purpose or end product but again I think his presence in a place where we get bullied canny be underestimated.

GS went for a physical and imposing looking side. Elvis, O’Dea, Tommy G, Jaro, Sno and JVOH are all big players. This tactic for me ensured that we didnae get bullied by the team that loves to bully. When we went in front Elvis and O’Dea made sure that every heider, cross baw or shot they were going to get in the way of it.

At the final whistle Elvis, mouthing f**kin brilliant and hugging all his new teammates, turned round to the hoppy support and gave a clenched fist salute. How times have changed. He got a nice reception from the nastiest support in Scotland but they soon reverted to type by booing his every touch.

Must say, his performance was one of a leader, a man on a mission and judging by the players comments he is well respected in the changing room. He has his limitations and is not a forward thinking, long term signing but so far he is proving to be able cover in area where we are weak squad wise.

Yesterday’s result was obtained with oor creative force having a quiet game and without the services of Maloney, McGeady and Riordon. GS got his sub right when he looked at the young bench- oldest was 26- and choose Beats over McGeady or Riordon.

The fact that Beats was chosen over King Kenny shows how far doon the pecking order Kenny has fallen. The remit GS gave Beattie was right up Kenny’s street but his goal drought and lack of finishing prowess made Beattie a better option. Yesterday an article stated that Kenny has had a 20% accuracy rate this season. Coo with a banjo springs to mind.

Jaro as a left winger was a strange one. But a role he did look comfortable, even if I’m not comfortable with it being a regular occurrence. His goal was one of sheer individual skill and ability that we all know he possesses. That’s what makes his performances so frustrating. One game in five from him is not a guid return for the money we splashed. But that’s, for me, two good games in the last two league outings.

But I’m sure the fact both have been when he has been playing in his favoured midfield area has nothing to do with it eh Gordon?

A victory and a performance against a team that were on a no bad run of form. A comfortable performance and victory in the end at a place where we usually don’t do well. Our talent shone in the 2nd half and it was aboot time.

That’s us done the double dunter in the league. Home and away unbeaten against everyone. Very O’Neill esq in the 2003/04 season. Not bad for what for some are calling a poor side eh?

FORZA THE HOOPS

Never Loved Elvis….

2007-01-11T15:27:00.000+01:00

Unsure if the Wonder Stuff had a song called never loved Elvis but they did have an album of that title. The Wonder Stuff was one of the biggest bands at ma high school. Me? I didnae get them at all. All that size of a cow and circle square just didnae register wie me at that time. Now welcome to the cheap seats I can refer to been in many a hell hole- Livingston? - where all the seats are cheap- Ibrox?

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to like the wonder stuff and that was only because I heard their lead singer Miles Hunt do a solo session of some of their “hits”. Another reason I was put of all those years ago was due to the singer name. I mean would you trust a band whose singer name was cockney rhyming slang for a term of abuse?

But I always thought Steven Pressley was a Miles Hunt. His caveman appearance, his image in the meeja as the natural successor to braveheart throne, his general demeanour and his comments aboot poor old Neil Lennon always made me think he was a Miles Hunt.

All this with oot knowing the guy. But we all know it’s a fitbaw fan right to character assonate blokes we dinny ken. I mean we pay their wages and the money we spend going to watch games gives us the right to shout what we want to somebodies son.

Now, when I heard Elvis had left the building I text a few readers of this site ma fears that GS may just fancy him. I knew that he wee ginger ninja may just see an international captaino with experience going for sod all while myself and a few others only saw a ex r*nger over-rated buffoon who looked like he could do with a decent wash. I also thought GS may just see a chance to get one over Romanov and also that Elvis saw things the same way.

When Balde broke his leg I knew Elvis would be wearing the hoops. The questions regarding him being a bit part player were answered in the moment Balde buckled under his weight. So as I left the game I prepared maself for the sight of Elvis in the hoops. And to tell you the truth while being strange it disnae seem as wrong as I 1st thought.

So he made his debut, I was in a boozer watching it, and a round of applause went up both in the stadium and in the pub when he took his 1st touch. Surprised I was at this judging by the indifference the signing had been received. But this maybe down to the fact that we have signed a quality- in the Scottish league sense- stopgap until Big Mick and Caldo returning from injury.

Now big Mick had been playing on one leg for months now and needed a break and I’m sure GS thinking was a pairing of Balde and Elvis until his 1st choice CB’s are available again. Balde bad luck put paid to that and the young O’Dea has stepped up to the plate with great aplomb.

While a pairing of O’Dea and Balde would have me having sleepless nights I’m comfortable with Pressley and O’Dea. I mean, Elvis made Webster look like a player and he has enough experience to help O’Dea settle doon and continue his impressive start to his hopefully hoopy career and not a Steve Cahill or Lex Baille hoopy career.

On Sunday Elvis returns to Gorgie of Lithuanian with possible revenge on his mind. For him to achieve this he needs more than just him to be up for the mission as oor away performances have been as bad as the 1st episode of “Shameless” the other night with the Motherwell game ranking as shocking.

With Lenny having the day oaf for being stupid oor midfield presents problems. Tommy G, Jaro and Sno are the 3 competing for two places but to tell you the truth are any of them man enough to stand up to the bully boy, rough hoose tactics that Hearts will employ.

GS again berated Tommy G at the game at Fir Park for not following orders and his lack of discipline when following a game plan makes playing him in this game along with Naka a risk. Tommy G sees himself as an old fashioned number 10 while Naka is oor old-fashioned number 10. But ye have to play the gravedigger. Too much ability and he has stood up and been counted on the goal front in hard away games already this season.

Jaro canny tackle a fish supper, but is disciplined when it comes to following orders. Also he looked like a fitbawer against Killie in the middle of the park instead of a giraffe on ice when he played centre forward. Is he tough enough to handle Gorgie? Well, 1st time oot rabbit caught in headlights was the phrase I used and that may play on GS mind.

Sno the big fellow is built like a boxer and tackles like Jaro. The pace of the game may catch him oot but there is no question the boy has ability and he is useful doing the waterboy job i.e. fetching, carrying and playing the simple ball. A lot has been placed on the big mans shoulders, to early for me, but again his ability to follow orders could see him get the nod and also the ability to keep the ball could be useful if the game gets to hectic.

Naka is usually dropped for this game. I think the formation will depend if GS feels the Japanese magician is ready to handle the most dangerous ground in Scotland.

Miles Hunt once sang “Welcome to the cheap seats” he must have visited Tynecastle. I’m hoping I’m no calling the Hearts manager this week, for the time being anyway a Miles Hunt for an OTT celebration on Sunday this time.

FORZA THE HOOPS

Fight The Power At Be

2007-01-08T14:16:00.000+01:00

Right, I hate ma line manager. Think they’re useless at their job and a trained chimp could do better. But their boss thinks their the best thing since sliced bread. Tell ye what I’m going to do. I’m going to start undermining them and bad mouth them to the rest of ma team. Then I’m going to fight against the changes they are bringing in to improve productivity.

I mean, longer hours and shorter lunch breaks, hell, I find it hard enough to have a punt and a pint as it is in ma lunch hour. What’s all this crap about? Trying to change ma ways to get the best oot of me. Nae danger as soon as productivity drops I’m well to the boss boss to shop them for being useless. Then we will see whose boss. I also know a couple of pals who need joabs……

Put like the above it sounds as daft as it looked. But it least it gave us a big laugh. At least we now know how they felt in the mid nineties when we lurched from one crisis to another. But for me theirs is the biggest laugh of them all and the main offender is getting away Scott free and the meeja still find time to compare it to digger Barnes.

Which, for me is wrong. Digger was hung oot to dry by the board. He wasn’t help by a Celtic legend who had, had previous dealing with high paid prima donnas. Digger needed a hand when the players were throwing boots at him and Ian Wright was his only friend. Digger was a rookie but a rookie that peshed 20 odd million up against a wall.

PLG was none of those. Ok he was hung oot to dry by his chairmen but most of all like Barnes he was let down by his PLAYERS. R*ngers went for a guru coach with new ideas, tactics and fanciful notions of grander. Unfortunately for him his chairmen listened to there knuckle dragging support and there knuckle dragging captaino. His move could have set them back years.

Right, I think if PLG had joined Celtic instead of them he would have been a success. He had a better class of yoof and also more money to spend. But he would have had to do the one thing GS managed to do when he became Celtic manager. Get the players onside.

It’s well known when GS first introduced the beep test, the idication that ye would actually be doing some running the old guard gave a collective “what the f*ck is this?, ye mean I have to train? What into the afternoon as well? And “what’s this swimming shite all aboot?”

While all the huffing and puffing was going on the barrowfield young team ran past the old guard flicking them the “v” as they ran by. The old guard noses were oot of joint and the performances showed. Bratislava was caused by this change. The 4-4 at Motherwell was caused by this change. But GS stuck to his guns and got his defining dressing room on side moment.

When Lenny went mental at Kenny Clark at the crisis brox.

After GS gave Lenny his full backing the dressing was his. His ideas accepted and also what helps was the fact that he knew a player, as the majority of his signings have been passable. His ideas started winning games and winning runs ensued. Winning runs means more money for the players, player’s wie more money means happy bunnys.

Any discontent will know be settle by Lenny in the changing room. When Lenny goes other characters- Mick, Big Jan, Tommy G etc- will settle the discontent. GS was allowed time to bring in his own charges to ensure that he won’t lose the dressing room. Maybe PLG was a bit to aloof to realise this but he needed Barry more than Barry needed him.

GS was a forward thinking coach like PLG. He changed the way coaching was structured at the club just like PLG was doing. Difference was oor players accepted change was guid the others well were happy in their set 3rd place ways.

Who cares really cause all this episode has showed is that professional fitbawers are weans of the highest order. I mean, in what other profession can you get a gadgie the sack then go oot and win the next 10 games. They’re a fickle lot, not caring aboot the support or anyone else bar themselves. They’re pampered and detached from reality.

One thing that made yesterdays result for Dunfermline so pleasing. I don’t gloat usually but I LURRRVED nothing better than watching a bunch of spoilt brats getting their comeuppance after a week of chest beating and gloating aboot them being right and the coach being useless.

I’m sure a certain French European pedigree coach, who WILL be successful elsewhere was laughing at Ian Durrants, the boy Bell and Jim Whites coupon at the final whistle yesterday. I know I was.

It’s a sad indictment on Scottish and British fitbaw that PLG left cause of knuckle dragging attitudes, attitudes that have ensured we have been left us behind in terms of competing in Europe.

The mythical Stone Roses once sang, “The past was yours but the futures mine” aye, but only if you embrace it, only if you embrace it.

FORZA THE HOOPS

January Sales Anyone?

2007-01-04T13:16:00.000+01:00

Hi Guys first of all Happy New Year to everyone.

On to the football and the game v Killie the other day was a bit better although still not great.

I watched the game in Dublin and Kev was in Tenerife so couldn't comment on the atmosphere or lack of it commented on by GS but after Motherwell and Dundee Utd i suppose getting 3 points and also the added bonus of a clean sheet were all that mattered.

The Motherwell game, i thought we had done the hard work without being great and didn't think they were really threatining us in the last few minutes until a daft mistake by telfer let them in. Worked out fine though with results elsewhere but still very annoying.

Against Killie, on the tv big Elvis looled calm and assured and never stopped shouting at his fellow team-mates which unlike pepe le pew, i like to see. Good we now have added cover which means big mick can get a well earned rest if need be. If O'Dea keeps on scoring at this rate he might end up our top scorer.

Talking about scorers its great to see JVOFH back in action, what a difference he makes and hopefully 90 minutes and a few goals against Dumbarton at the weekend will have him flying by the time we go to Tynecastle. I for one can't wait to see the Jambo's reaction to Pressley, they won't know what to do.

In this transfer window, i would love to like most fans see us sign someone who will score us 20+ goals a season. Stokes, Hoskins, Sharp, Gow and some 6ft 2 french guy have been mentioned but who knows. It was interesting to see GS say after the Killie game that he could see another "Dublin" type signing coming in. Was this a referal to Stokes and the place of his birth or does he have someone else up his sleeve to come in until the end of the season and do us a turn, any suggestions anyone?

Going out it looks like Thommo and Pearo could be offski. I never realised Pearo only had 5 months left on his contract and if this is the case anything over £500, 000 is a bonus and anywhere near £1,000,000 would be great. Don't get me wrong i like Pearo but he hasn't taken his chance when it's came and i don't think at CP he will ever get the run of games he needs and will get elsewhere to get back to his best.

Thommo was a great player for us and was a real favourite of mine but his time at CP is up, all the best if you go now Thommo and thanks for the memories.

Also talk of The Beats and Marshall maybe going to Hibs for Thomson or Brown, we will wait and see.

On a side note one of the highlights of Dublin was when i heard of the Le Pew and Wee Barry fallouts and the man who was to be the new captain at Ipox.

It was a Rae of light to a cold New Years Day in Dublin Haha.

Hail Hail.

Stuck In The Middle Wie You

2006-12-27T11:33:00.000+01:00

The festive frenzy has passed wie mair taking points and woes than a hungover shopping centre unemployed, now, Santa. Few round guys wie big beer bellies will be signing back on today much like a few of the tic players should be looking for other employment.

It’s a strange game, Fawkirk deserved a point- they’re a fitbaw team- while the Dundee Hibernians- tactically sound and uninspiring- deserved hee-haw and got a point. 4 points oot of 6 is not a guid return especially since they were both at home but again it’s the missing cohesion and performances which, make us wonder if we are aboot to witness the biggest collapse since Engurland or us on black Sunday.

Fawkirk game was marred by one of the worst performances I have EVER witnessed at CP. No, it wasn’t Jaro but step forward Mr Ian Brines who once again proved he is the WORST REF IN SCOTLAND. His performance was so bad that I was glad faither G was there to see it as he widnae have believed it when I told him. But again it is no surprise as he usually is terrible.

That performance then the main stand linesmen performance yesterday makes me wonder whether there is a conspiracy to make the race for the flag, well a race. But then again it could just be me and ma paranoia or am I starting to believe that the team are deciding to chuck it? I mean the fans have with two of the worst attendances I have ever seen at the revamped CP so why should the players bother?

At least Lenny while being in the total wrong showed a bit of character. Right, it wisnae a sending oaf but his reaction to the severe provocation from the fawkirk bairns is no right. He should have walked away, he had won the expected penalty but his reaction once again makes us question his state of mind. That’s 3 incidents since November all involving the wee man. It could be 4 if I count the Scott Broon heidbutt.

But he disgraced the captain’s armband with his petulant throwing it on the hallowed turf. Guys like Ceaser, Peacock and the Bear would have been spewing at that. Ye canny da that. That’s oot of order. But the problem is who else do we have to lead?

The fact that we have dropped the appeal I think puts a tin lid on the incident. Ye canny shout at a linemen like that. He will get the book thrown at him so we will need to get used to a Lenny free midfield, which, might not be a bad thing.

Yesterday’s performance was non-committal to whether the midfield had improved without Lenny. Well, it certainly wisnae any worse or any better without the ginger ninja. But I think it did prove that we are certainly mair forward thinking wie Sno and Tommy G.

Sno while have his glaring faults see's a forward pass and looks more comfortable on the ball but he lacks the defensive savvy of Lenny. That will come but then again the erratic Tommy G who lacks discipline to give his pals a dig oot must be a mare to play wie.

Tommy G is a player though. Over the last two games he has had spells when his vision his creative muse have came to the fore. He sees a pass, he sees an out ball and unfortunately for him sometimes he is two moves ahead of his team-mates, which makes him look like a big daft ogre at times. He will benefit from the return of the Vennegor. A big man to hit and who can lay off the baw. Unlike Jaro.

If CP were a blank canvas then Shuggie Nakamura would be a top impressionist and not the Les Dennis kind. My ghod the lad is blessed with talent. For 8 minutes yesterday he was untouchable. It was the kind of performance that makes you GLAD ye bothered yer arse to go to the game. It was worth ma season ticket book money alone. Imaging Lubo at his peak and times it by 10. Yes it was that guid.

He took the game by the scruff of the neck, he decided that he was no longer going to be tied to the right wing and he moved into the heart of the engine room. It makes ye wonder what would happen if GS just gave him a jersey and with the instructions just to play. Get on the ball and just weave yer magic. Yesterday proved he is wasted on the wing he NEEDS to be in the middle.

His goal was pure gallus-ness. He is the only person in Scotland who would have had the speed of thought or the ability to do what he did. It was a bit Terry Henry a bit Ronaldinho. His back heel that took oot the whole of the Dundee Hibernians defence was amazing bit of ability. If sky didnae think we’re a Mickey mouse league soccer am would be showing it for weeks.

Performances like yesterday will see the Japanese wonder move on to bigger and better things. The problem is I see him being a major star in Spain if he goes to the right club but I will worry aboot that when it happens.

So, how come with so much creative talent we are not destroying or winning games at a canter. Any team that can call on Tommy G, Magic, Naka, McGeady, Maloney and Rioirdon surely should turn up at yer New Year parrrty loaded wie goals but we dinny.

We are a sum of creative individual brilliance that haven’t gelled as a team. We haven’t found a balance or system that suits us. That’s the manager’s fault. He has a squad with so much ability and potential and he is not getting the best oot of them. We start slow and end slower. Why do we need to go 1 or 2 down before we play? Why do we go 1 up and drop to walking pace? Is it instructions or do the players take it upon themselves to do this?

It needs sorted or oor record in the last 6 games of WDWDWD will start having L appearing very soon and GS will think Bratislava was a week in butlins compared to what is coming over the hill. And no it isnae a monster or Michael Chopra………

FORZA THE HOOPS

All Along The Watchtower

2006-12-21T09:25:00.000+01:00

Well, the fallout from the Glesga derby continues to rage like a rage in toys r us on Christmas Eve. The talk aboot the non-pen rages on as Kenny Clark proves he has a brain and states that it was a pen and Don McVicar proved that even though a ref admitted he got it wrong that his bosses will do anything not to admit that was the case.

Oor friends in the west are moaning aboot the pole in the goal blessing himself, again saying that he done it in an aggressive manner. What they don’t realise is that even though Arfur does this EVERY single game he maybe just maybe keeps a wee special one for them. As he knows how they will react and he finds this quite funny.

Right, ye can all go on aboot the fact that he is maybe dumbing doon the sign of the cross and could be degrading his religion but the reaction of the r*ngers “fans” reeks of anti Catholicism. It reeks of people not willing to accept people have different religious beliefs and that sportsmen might wish to show this on their field of play.

But I mean the fact that others have blessed themselves at the brox and not received this sort of criticism only proves one thing. The fact that it’s a CELTIC player doing this annoys them more so than some Johnny nobody. Maybe that’s the answer beneath all the shite that’s being spouted.

Apart from the usual meeja derby bolloxs the Celtic support have been in a reflective mood. Maybe even a worried mood at the lack of performances the men in the hoops are producing. Everyone I have spoken too saw the draw at the brox as a disappointing result.

It could just be something in the Scottish fitbaw fan I want more mentality. I canny see an Italian fan bemoaning a draw at their rival’s cabbage patch to retain a 16-point gap over them. But it’s maybe more to do with the fact that a team with so much promise is delivering so little.

On Sunday a midfield containing a derby veteran, an ex chelski regular and EPL regular and the “ogre” from Madrid and also an EPL regular were overran by an overrated piece of bum fluff, a French patsy who is wet behind the ears and a paisley panda reject.

It’s not just the fact we were overran for a spell it was more when we had the ball we couldnae keep it and these seasoned professionals seemed to lose shape and purpose as the game wore on. We allowed them to grab the point and we also didnae take oor chances when we were on top.

Now, I know that Jaro and Tommy G have been the topic of some debate. Both were signed to improve the squad but the general feeling is they have maybe weakened the midfield area. One doesn’t have the power and pace of Stan P and the other while have the power, pace and arguably more ability than Stan P he doesn’t have the discipline of the sulky bulgar.

Both maybe have faltered due to GS tendency to try and replace missing players with square pegs in round holes. See, Jaro as a big centre forward and Gravesan as a right-winger. We could also have a look at the system GS tries to implement with Jaro as the 2nd offensive attacker. Or as I put it the pansy that’s to bust a gut to support the lone front man.

For me Jaro, should be the sitting midfielder. If we are playing a 5 across the middle then the pansy to support is Tommy G who is, well how can I put it, the more willing runner. That is if we are going to stick with the 5 across the middle of the park. It’s something GS has maybe had forced on him as he prefers a 4-4-2.

The last derby at CP Celtic played a formation that GS had honed over the last year. It was formation with balance and potency that looked comfortable on the ball. Players knew what they were meant to be doing in this formation, as it is really a fail save easy formation. It’s not complicated to work oot where yer meant to be as a player.

When any other formation is implemented that the players don’t feel comfortable with then indecision comes into play. For me the lack of decent performances is steaming from the players not being intelligent and flexible enough to adapt. It may also steam from lack of preparation on the training ground. Lack of coaching time to work on the ideas the coach wants to implement. Also maybe, the coach is trying to please certain signings by playing them anywhere.

I mean, it’s not as if we haven’t played a 4-5-1 to great effect before. We played it at Old Trafford but there was a big main difference that night. We had a striker with the ability to allow make the ball stick to him. He made it easy for the midfielders to support, as he would hold up the play.

This shows that you need the players, a certain type of player to play that system. Every professional player can play in a simple 4-4-2. It has been proven over the years to be the most effective formation. It’s what players the world over are brought up playing. Any deviation from that system requires coaching and a coach knowing his players have a certain intelligence to adapt.

This may sound a bit harsh but over the last few days I have been reading aboot the Aussie cricket team. The Aussie cricket board conduct analyis in victory and defeat. They need to know the reasons why they have won or lost. If they have won then they look at the reason why and how they can retain this winning mentality. They also look at how they can improve.

Now, in this position we find ourselves in, last 16 of the CL and 14 points clear is probably a great time for the coaching staff to be reviewing the season so far. It probably could be a time to reflect on the performances of last season team one and what they did well and how they did it well.

It is also the time to look at certain players and decide if they can take us forward or are adaptable enough to maintain the winning mentality that we have developed at the club. They have to decide if their coaching and systems are lending to the below par performances.

The fact that we play better with a target man and in a simple 4-4-2 cannot be ignored when budgeting and transfer targets are being identified. It also canny be ignored when the decisions to cull players are being made.

Lets take a leaf from the Aussies book. And progress from a position of strength.

FORZA CELTIC

I Know What I'm Here For……

2006-12-18T13:52:00.000+01:00

And we bloody got it. We got the bare minimum we required. The result gives them no encouragement whatsoever that oor lead will crumble. Maybe oor performance will give some hope, maybe the fact that oor goalie spared us an undeserved defeat will give some hope but then they are clutching at straws.

No corners have been turned and if they have it’s into a cul-de-sac. As this morning we are still 16 clear same as we were yesterday morning but this morning we have been to the home of oor greatest foes and basically not lost anything. And that was the plan.

Right, all this balls aboot r*ngers performance. Yes they played as well as they have done for years but they still cudnae beat us. Not even when we kept on gieing them the ball back as magic couldnae hold his water and oor midfield decided to sit on our own 18 yard box.

But then that’s oor tactics when we go to the brox. Rope a dope. Go a goal up and sit there and hit on the counter. MON started it and GS is continuing it. It’s a tactic used by most away teams in big games. But for it to work the ball retention has to be good and yesterday it wasn’t.

Also these tactics give the home side the lion’s share of possession and thus the chance for them to create chances. Again it happened and it has done in past games in Govan. All this baws aboot PLG turning them into a decent team who made a decent fist of the game is rubbish. Under eck they also had the same stats in the home games. Loads of the baw and creating chances.

But then again when has that ever stopped the meeja going into a hyperbole of all things r*ngers? When has a draw ever been heralded from so many from great heights? Is it just a sign o the times that a draw, which ensures the status quo remains, is seen as a season defining result?

Was in the boozer yesterday and it was a mixed bag. The humour and banter from both sets of fans was immense. It was the kind of atmosphere that makes a mockery of Mr McConnell’s campaign to eradicate fitbaw banter under the guise it is sectarian. The colourful language that was used under the new powers would have been enough for 10 year bans under the new rules. But there was no one iota of sectarian or bigoted conation behind any of the craic.

Think Mr McConnell should visit these types of establishment during these games. He might get the feeling that calling someone and orange so and so or a Fienan so and so is the least of his worries if he is serious of eradicating bigotry. Have a look at the f*ckwit from the RSA comments today aboot King Arfur blessing himself. That’s the problem he should be tackling. No the fact I called ma pal a jammy orange bar steward after the equaliser.

Oh I think I might get a visit from the PC polis for that comment. Ach well.

The orange ones- may as well get hung for a sheep rather than a lamb- went mental when they equalised yesterday. Scenes of unbridled joy in the stadium and probably the scene like ma boozer was the same up and doon the country. It reminded me of the times when we were that bad we used to celebrate draws.

I remember one such occasion fondly but it was entirely different circumstances that yesterdays. I mean oor equaliser in that game meant that we still hung in there with a chance of stopping 10 in a row. That night when Stubbsy equalised with a few minutes left it was bedlam. But it was bedlam borne oot of hope that we were going to stop the hurt we had felt for the last 9 years.

What hope can they really take from yesterday?

Now, in those dark days as well Andy Goram was the hero on many occasions for them. Yesterday it was Arfur who was blessed with that honour. Tommy Burns stewardship of Celtic could have been so different if it wasn’t for the flying pig. But that's what keepers are paid to do. Pull oaf big saves on big occasions. It’s part of the game ye try and beat the goalie if ye canny ye dinny deserve to win.

Arfur’s contribution to oor cause this season has been immense. He is probably part of the reason we are in the last 16 oaf the CL. He also is a big factor in oor 16-point lead. He needed too have a great game as again oor midfield charged aboot aimlessly- well Tommy G did- and Jaro looked as if he had been dropped in from Mars.

But still, we were dodgy and got the points. The questions that remain over the team are still to be answered but one thing for sure is that we are stubborn and robust but the performances surely should be better with the talent at GS disposal.

Overall I’m happy with the point. It was what we set oot to achieve and we got it with a lot to spare in the tank.And bar a pen decision that we never got we would have got three points. Off the field again we should oor sense of humour is second to none with the evolution banner and the end of season greetings. Also the money with the mints face on it and the fact that the Stan P Stirling CSC – or the wee buckiebus as it is known- travelled to the game in a party fire engine. Now that’s style. Well some sort style anyway:-)

But even then I’m sure Mr McConnell will ensure a few patsys are banned as he needs to keep his body count up, doesn’t he?

FORZA CELTIC

Robert De Niro’s Waiting….Talking Italian

2006-12-15T13:47:00.000+01:00

Ma mind has gone completely blank. Was trying to think up a leftfield alternative song title to go with this piece and ah couldnae think. I mean if I ever get round to doing the LOTW best album in the world ever then Bananarama are going to be bloody on it.

You see I’m like the coo that jumped over the moon at this moment in time as we have drawn the Rossoneri of Milan. Now, I was quite up for a battle of Britain or to put it bluntly a battle of Stamford Bridge also the fitbaw anorak in me wanted maybe to go to the grove to see the Arse. Liverpool, been there seen it done the Mersey.

But, Milano the famous red and black stripes now here is a team that has played a MASSIVE part of ma fitbaw life. Every since the baldy James Richardson appeared on the then new fangled Channel 4 with a Sunday afternoon entertainment of Italian soccer have I been hooked. Even before that the famous European cup winning side containing Van Basten, Rikjarrd (sp) and Guillt.

Those Sunday afternoons watching the technical ability and flair both on and off the park. The Italian Ultra’s are something else with their TIFSO displays and passion unfortunately some have right wing views and are racist but ALL display a passion which, a few of oor home dwellers should take a note off.

With me being brought up on stories of the attacking Celtic way and of course how the Lions overcame the boring defensive minded Inter in Lisboa the Italian game was a brand new concept to me.

A game that placed as much effort on defending as attacking. Fans who appreciated defenders just as much as the poster boys attackers. It made me appreciate that defending is an art and guid defenders are just as worth their wait in gold as flair players and attackers.

The Italians had grasped the context of systems, formations and defending. This was all new to me as at that time I was watching McGuigan, McNally, Biggins and Slater. It was the technical side of the game I fell in love with. Right, ye got some shite games as teams cancelled each other oot and the undercurrent of bribes and corrupt officials was always there but the technical side and the ability of the players couldnae be questioned.

At that time the Rossoneri were top dogs. The dugs baws sweeping all in front of them with style, flair and a defensive might formed by Baresi and Maldini. The San Siro looked like a spaceship and the colour supplied by their fans made the stadium look fantastic.

On top of that the fact hat they have one of the most recognisable tops- just as iconic as the Hoops- in world fitbaw made them a sexy team to say they were yer favourite Italian mob on a Monday in the school playground.

Hell, even in ma going doon the Arches clubbing days ma favourite going oot top was a retro Ac top. These guys left their mark on me make no doubt.

When we drew them a few years back, I missed oot on the trip. The dates were unkind and I was gutted. I couldnae go as I was in the Caribbean what made matters worse was I got a ticket in the ballot.

Maybe it was in the water that I would get ma chance again to maybe fufill a lifetime’s ambition. To go to Italy to watch the hoops. I had been trying to talk Mrs G into going on a weekend break to take in an Italian league game. That can be put on the back burner.

As tonight the line in ma hoose will be “I hear Milan is nice in March”

FORZA THE HOOPS

Into the Valley

2006-12-13T13:55:00.000+01:00

Deepest darkest Fife has been a happy hunting ground for the hoops in recent years. Sunday proved no different in this matter and in fact I canny remember the last time we lost there. Have we lost there since the SPL began? Remember dropping points on the opening day a few years back and drawing a cup-tie but defeat?

Anyway, Sunday saw us for once taking the game by the scruff of the neck from the start and imposing oor style on the proceedings. Usually we start like a mole digging a hole and feel oor way into the game. This has caused us to start games poorly and lose early goals. This also causes anxiety amongst the home crowd and the increasingly diminishing away support.

I mean we were used to the cavalier charge from the kick off under the mythical Tommy Burns bumblebees. GS men seem to size up the opponents then decide their course of action. Now, if like against the Leith Young Team you are meet with a tornado then this course of action can be troublesome. You can have yer arse felt before you know it. Ditto the diabolical performance in Denmark.

It was with this in mind that for once I read oor neighbours match reports on Sunday and Monday. Never usually give them the time of day mair important things going on to be bothered aboot them but since we are due at the brox on Sunday I thought I would read up.

Now, it seems le goon decided to enforce a pressing game for the 1st time this season, interesting me thinks. Why? He knows that type of game trouble us. He also now knows his team have done it well to good effect once. I for one hope GS took notice of this as well.

If we allow them to get a foothold in the game oor unbalanced midfield will struggle and it could be a case of hanging on and hoping novo has a mare and prso knees giveway. Against Hibs they ran oot of steam and a tactical switch to give us extra numbers in the middle swung the game in oor favour.

We can’t allow them to allow the hordes to roar. We need to make sure the players are mentally up for it, wanting the ball, playing passes and keeping possession in a frantic atmosphere. We need to enforce oor style and pace from the start. GS also has to get us team selection spot on from the start.

We haven’t replaced Stan P. we have tried numerous formations, line-ups, systems and the balance is like an self built Ikea coffee table. Ropey to say the least. Jaro and Tommy G are struggling to adapt to the Scottish game and to Celtic’s style. We have only looked comfortable with an extra man in the middle.

This is where I reckon Sno should come in for one of the attackers. Right, we are in a great position of if we lose it disnae matter, a draw disnae matter and a bloody fantastic position of going 19 points clear before santa forgets to deliver a new bike for ma Christmas. I for one also think that adding an extra man in the middle disnae weaken oor attacking options as we should have enough support from the midfield for the lone man up front.

But whom do we put on up front? Well it has to be the only natural goal scorer we have fit at the moment. The pole that scores the goals get’s ma vote. Maybe he is running aboot like a wet weekend in burntisland his performances have been ropey but he is scoring.

Both him and Kenny are not main strikers. Both would love to play of a numero uno striker allow them to float around. Magic at the weekend bemoaned the personnel changes in the team that has allowed us to develop a more patient style in which he hasn’t flourished. He likes the directness of last season when BBJ was the point to hit.

Magic also stated that the team relied now on individual brilliance rather than a team ethic. While I think that is wide of the mark I think it is more due to the midfield combo not being correct yet. Thing is magic can bring brilliance to any table, he has proved he can and he also have proved he has the ability to score 20 odd goals from a 2nd offensive position.

That’s something Kenny Miller still has to convince us off.

Hail Hail

All In The Mind

2006-12-11T13:09:00.000+01:00

Nae matter what anyone say’s fighting between teammates is fine. It shows the correct attitude and a will to win that is needed if yer going to be, well, winners. It happens up and doon the country at every level of fitbaw.

Guys with more passion and desire get on at guys who are half hearted and gie up. Players, like normal people, get annoyed by different things, some will not be to bothered that losing a goal in the last minute of a game in a game we won at a canter while others will get annoyed. Especially if yer the Pole in the goal and you had just lost 3 goals in midweek and ye fancied a wee clean sheet.

Now, for Arfur losing a soft goal is like him being booted in the baws. He was hurting from the midweek and to watch a poor, poor 1st division bound Dunfermline side go down oor right hand side with ease and whip in a cross ball must have been galling. So like all guid goalies he springs to his feet and looks for a scapegoat.

He decides the midfield is it. He berates oor captain for not tracking back. Now oor captain had been shouting, moaning and abusing any slack pass for the last 15 minutes of the game. I think Arfur decided to give the torn faced Lurgan man some of his own medicine. A bit off if yer big enough to gie it oot ye better be big enough to take it sort of thing.

A wee pushing match ensues with much handbags at 10 paces stuff. More like two rutting stags or buckiefied neds doon the park trying to impress wee Kylie from the top estate. It dies doon, nothing to see bhoys move on, then Lenny slips back into bully mode.

On the way back up the pitch, Lenny decides to pick on the weeist person on the park. As Aiden feels the worst of the scolded Ulsterman’s Irish brogue for not tracking back- which he didn’t- the blond bombshell decides that he has had enough. He lets rip with a volley of expletives and name calling that would make Marco Matteratzi proud and would probably get him lifted if the Scottish executive had their way.

A pushing match ensues until it’s broken up by assorted par and hoopy players. Tommy Burns rushes on the park and ushers wee twinkle toes up the tunnel probably for his own safety as those nasty bullies always attack from behind. IT WAS BLOODY FANTASTIC TO SEE. It also, for me, says a lot aboot the character of oor team and Mr Lennon.

Now, it’s great to see a guy with such a will to win but his choice of tactics, choice of game and leadership style to force this issue across leaves a lot to be desired. The main question has to be WHY WAS HE NOT GRABBING BALDE BY THE THROAT IN COPHENHAGAN? WHY DID HE NOT KICK GRAVESAN UP THE ARSE IN THE SAME GAME? WHY DID HE HIDE IN COPHENHAGAN?

Why did he choose a game that we had won to vent his so-called leadership qualities. Where was he on Wednesday night when the troops maybe needed encouragement and arse kicking? His tactics of leadership leave a lot to be desired. He likes to throw his hands in the air and throw strops. He seems to resort to bullying tactics as yesterday proved.

I’m not going to make a big deal out of that. He knows the mental make up of his teammates, he knows who needs the arm round the shoulder and who needs a bit of a rollicking. What happened yesterday happens in training grounds up and doon the country. It’s unusual to see it happen in the public domain but what worries me most is that he didnae do it when it was justified.

Wednesday night was the night to have a fight on the park. Wednesday night was the night to have strops fallouts and throw punches. What he did yesterday proves once and for all that oor team lacks a mental toughness at the higher level. They lack the confidence and belief in their own ability at the higher level. They accept that they are not guid enough and are quite happy to accept mistakes.

Oor team seem to lack belief in them when they travel away. Players who are normally reliable and creative suddenly go into their shells and freeze. It’s ok wanting the ball against Dunfermline but against a European side with their tails up is a different story. That’s when a leader should stand up and be counted that’s what makes yesterday tit to tat laughable. It was bravado nothing else. It was a case of bolting the door once the donkey had bolted. It was a token gesture, which once again gives the meeja ammo.

I’m beginning to believe that oor players are not mentally prepared correctly. They find it easy domestically to be brave on the ball and create chances- like they did yesterday- but when they are under the cosh and on our Euro trips they believe all the constant failings they get levelled at them. Not guid enough, too slow, journeymen, bosmans and has beens. Maybe some are in that category but when they start believing it then we have problems.
This mental toughness can be coached to the youngsters. They can also be coached out of errors. It is the older players you have problems with. Doesn’t matter how many times you tell them an old dog can’t learn new tricks. Also older players lose that bravado that younger pups have.

George Connelly in a rare interview yesterday said that basically the gallus-ness he had when he was young was lost in latter years as basically you become more aware. He pointed to David Marshall as being a perfect example. He said that now Marshie would go the Camp Nou and lose at least 5 goals.

Older players know what they can or can’t do. They know the level they are comfortable at. Maybe this is why Lenny chose yesterday at East End Park to throw a strop instead of Denmark in the midweek. He is comfortable being a Celtic captain at East End Park but out his depth in Europe.

The thing is players should approach every game the same disnae matter if it’s in Barcelona, Madrid, Rio, Fife, coatbrig or doon the local five a side hall. They should believe and have the confidence in their ability to want the ball and be brave no matter who the opponents. Sometimes you will get beat by the better team you will sometimes not get what you deserve but hey that’s the nature of the beast.

Forza Celtic

Still Haven’t Found What We Are Looking For.

2006-12-07T10:15:00.000+01:00

And we will NEVER find it if we continue to play like that. I’m fed up. This joke is not funny anymore and it has really become bloody embarrassing. LLLLLLLLDLLL is embarrassing. It is nearly up there with AEK Athens record of 21 games without a win. It’s nearly up there with Anderlect’s poor run of 18 games without a win.

One thing for sure last night proved it is a psychological defect in the team. Time for sports psychologist to roll up at CP and earn a mint to put right the wrongs and banish the demons in the player’s minds. What damage such an inept performance will do moral and belief is a question that will wait to be answered. But the lack of the right ingredients to make a decent fist of a game last night was frightening.

People are talking aboot how the English cricket team will get up for the next test after a collapse from a match winning position. Well how will the hoops pick themselves from a performance so far off the mark that it was only luck that we didnae get a humping. It’s a result that will make the English meeja ignore us again.

Only Celtic can make a party into wake and give such an apologetic and biscuit arsed performance, which will make euro watcher sit and wonder why we have qualified. It was a performance that lack ingredients of a team, cohesion and fight. It lacked heart and we lacked a physical presence, which meant we were bullied off the park.

The performance lacked all the ingredients that we showed against man u when outplayed we hung in there for grime death. We surprised oor opponents that night with oor resilience and spirit. After last night THAT performance against Man U has to be savoured and remembered by us. Nights like the night against Man U have to be remembered cause when we are bad we are bad.

We gloated after Man U. we celebrated after Man U. last night put us right back in oor cages and gave the whole of Scotland something to laugh at. Yes it was that bad. Another one to put in oor pipe and smoke it along with the roll of shame that is Porto, Bratislava, Rosenberg, Lisboa, Donestk et all. I would go as far to say that last night was worse than Brastislava.

Why? We had a chance to push on from the high of qualifying. We had a chance to go oot give a decent performance and show we deserved to be in the last 16. Instead we gave a performance that was in tune with a wee team that has got lucky by qualifying.

One moment summed up oor performance. Aiden doing a Regi Blinker. You heard his bottle crashing on the moon when he charged through one on one with the goalie. His performance wasn’t much better than that moment but then NO ONE got pass marks.

Bobo proved he is a prize coo at this level, Jaro, poor Jaro scores a goal but gives a performance, which at this moment in time makes me so mad that if he kicks another ball for the hoops it will be too soon. Kenny Miller became Philip Sebo for a night and proved he was no Henrick Larsson.

Who else thought aboot Henrick when Naylor sent over that pinpoint cross at 1-0. How many times have we seen chances like that converted? It summed up oor striking problems at the moment in that we haven’t got one.

GS starting line up has to be question and his press conference afterwards when he stated aboot KNOWING what the problem is was laughable. Let me see. 4 away games under his stewardship 14 goals lost. Average of 3.2 goals per game. Not exactly rocket science is it to work oot the problem.

GS failed to combat the only trick and tactic a poor side had in their locker. Long high balls and set plays. It was skool bhoy stuff. Nothing complicated aboot it all. GS must take his fair share of the blame for last night s debacle.

I don’t mind getting beat. If we get beat from the better team on the night then so be it. THAT’S fitbaw. But what I do mind is a bunch of prima donna’s and charlatans cheating a support. They never turned up last night. Players were posted missing once again. I want to see a bit of effort and pride in the jersey and in you. That was missing. The fans again are left wondering if this team have the ability to jog on in Europe.

It has happened to often for it now not to be a deep lying problem. Lack of quality seems to be the only logical answer. Ma description of the team as bosman’s, journeymen and middle order signings last night done a disservice to the honest professionals everywhere. Harsh I know, but what is more galling as this team has ability. They can and should be doing better.

That’s what makes it so hard to take. I’m not looking for scapegoats, not calling from anyone to be sacked I just want it not to happen again. But the psychological damage of this performance, not result, could have a massive bearing on GS’s team 2.

Well at least we are in the super dooper last 16 and it will be at least March until oor next European jaunt. This will all be water under the bridge by then. But somehow I’m hoping for an English team so we don’t get that much travel sickness.

Stamford Bridge anyone………?

FORZA AND FOREVER THE HOOPS